For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 738
JOHN VANATTA....Of sturdy pioneer parentage John Vanatta, who is the owner of a valuable farm in Wapsinonoc township, inherited characteristics that have assisted him in his business career. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, January 8, 1854, sone of Thomas and Sarah A. ( Robbins ) Vanatta. The father was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 15, a826. In 1830 he removed with his parents to Keithsburg, Illinois, and six years later the family took up their residence in Illinois City, continuing there for several years. This was in the pioneer days of Illinois when Indians and wild animals roamed at large over the prairies, and Mr. Vanatta in reminiscent mood often told of those times and also when as a boy he was held on the knee of the old chief Black Hawk. On March 31, 1853, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Robbins, of Illinois City, who was born twenty-two miles from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1832. He died February 5, 1910. at the home of is daughter in Rock Island. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Eliza Felix, of Aledo, Illinois, and by eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was a man of many noble characteristics who assisted to the extent of his ability in promoting the comfort and happiness of those with whom he associated. In 1860 he united with the Methodist church at Illinois City and continued a consistent member of that denomination during the remainder of his life. There were six children in his family : John, the subject of this review ; Mrs. J. F. Gaunt, of Koshkonong, Missouri ; Perry, deceased ; George, of Texaco, New Mexico ; Mrs. Icy Bradford, of Rock Island, Illinois, and Bert, of Reynolds, Illinois.Mr. Vanatta received the advantages of a common school education and continued at home until twenty-two years of age, when he rented the old homestead in Rock Island county, Illinois, conducting it very successfully for thirteen years. In the spring of 1889, having decided to cast his lot with the state of Iowa, he purchased land on sections 6 and 7, Wapsinonoc township, Muscatine county, upon which he took his residence. He is now the owner of two hundred and sixty-two acres which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He has made a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and cattle with such excellent results that he is now well-to-do and can spend the remainder of his life, if he so desires, free from the turmoil and cares of business. He has financial interests other than those pertaining to his farm and is the director of the Citizens Savings Bank at West Liberty.
On the 2d of March, 1876, Mr. Vanatta was united in marriage to Miss Anna S. Fisher, who was born at Illinois City, April 8, 1855, a daughter of James H. and Salome ( Hoffman ) Fisher. The mother was a native of Alsace, born in the town of Westhofen, county of DuBas, Rhine, France, December 26, 1828, and came to America with her parents when about eight years of age. The family stopped for a while in Ohio but in 1846 removed to Iowa City. On the 26th of November, 1850, Miss Hoffman was married to Mr. Fisher, who was born in Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania, in 1826. They lived for a short time at Illinois City, Illinois, but in 1855 took up their residence in Solon, Iowa. Mr. Fisher died in 1871 and his wife June 28, 1907. There were ten children in the family.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely : George H., born February 20, 1878, who is married and lives in Marion, Linn county, Iowa ; Leo E., who was born August 31, 1884 and died September 8, 1884 ; Clarence F., who was born March 14, 1887, and is now a student in college at Iowa City ; Edith M., who was born April 8, 1890, and died three days following ; and Lela Pearl, who was born June 17, 1894, and is now a student in West Liberty high school. Mrs Vanatta is a woman of fine intellectual attainments, having received a college education and taught school very successfully for several years previous to her marriage.
Politically Mr. Vanatta is identified with the republican party. He has never aspired to public office but served for several years as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at West Liberty. He and his estimable wife are now living retired, making their home upon their farm and also spending their winters in California in the enjoyment of the fruits of well applied labor. Mr. and Mrs. Vanatta are members of and active workers in the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee. On account of their unselfish character they are truly honored by all who know them.
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