Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 321
SAMUEL VANATTA, a progressive and enterprising farmer, residing on section 1, Seventy-Six Township, has been a resident of Muscatine County since his fourth year, He is a native of Mercer County, Pa., born March 29,1842, and is a son of William and Matilda ( Brobeck ) Vanatta, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. When a very small lad, in 1846, Samuel came with his parents from Pennsylvania to Muscatine County, Iowa, and as there were no railroads at that time across the country made the journey by steamer, going down the Ohio and up the Mississippi Rivers. Soon after the arrival his father purchased land in Seventy-Six Township, and on that farm Samuel remained until attaining his majority, and was educated in the common schools.

At the age of twenty-two Mr. Vanatta married Araminta McGrue, the ceremony being performed Nov. 18, 1863. The lady is a daughter of John and Lydia Ann ( Willis ) McGrue. By their union four children have been born : Laura May, born May 17, 1865; Jennie Dell, born Feb. 11, 1871 : Harvard C., Sept.11, 1875; and Sylvia Ann, Sept. 6,1877; all yet at home.

Immediately after his marriage Mr. Vanatta rented a farm which he cultivated for a year, and then rented another farm, following the occupation of farming for several years. In 1865 he crossed the plains to Denver, Colo., where he engaged in frieghting until the following August, at which time he returned home. Although the trip was not a remarkably profitable venture, it was very enjoyable. He again angaged in farming after his return, which occupation he still continues, and also buys and sells cattle. Socially Mr. Vanatta belongs to the A.O.U.W., being a member of Eagle Lodge No. 10, of Muscatine, and politically he is a Republican, having always cast his ballot for that party. With the exception of a few months spent in Colorado, he has made his home in this county since the days of his early childhood. He has not only witnessed but has largely participated in the work of transformation which has changed the wild and unsettled country of this region into beautiful homes and farms, and placed it the equal in rank with any county in the great State of Iowa.

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