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 SAAC NEWTON VANNATTA, residing on
section 34, Lafayette Township, is the descendant of one of the pioneer families of the county.
He is the son of Samuel and Lucy (Gibbs). Vannatta, and was born at Mock’s Point, Cumberland
Co., Ill., June 16, 1844. Samuel Vannatta was a native of Fairfield, Ohio. He was the son of Aaron and Nancy Vannatta, and in 1816 his parents emigrated to the Territory of Illinois. They made their home in Lawrence County, and were among the earliest pioneers of the State. They encountered many privations and trials in those early days. The country was almost an unbroken wilderness; there were no school advantages for the children, and the neighboring families were separated by wide stretches of lonely prairie, or desolate woodland. Samuel assisted his father in breaking the new land, burning brush and cutting timber, finding little time or opportunity for mental cultivation. In 1827 his marriage with Miss Lucy Gibbs took place. Mrs. Vannatta was born Jan. 5, 1809, in New York, and came to Illinois with her father, Klijah Gibbs, who was among the pioneers of Coles County, having settled there in 1827. Mr. Vannatta was engaged in farming in Cumberland County until 1853, when he removed to Coles County and settled in Lafayette Township. lie passed the remainder of his life there, and died. May 5, 1881, having long survived his wife, whose death occurred Jan. 5, 1865. They had a family of ten children born to them, eight of whom grew to maturity. Isaac Vannatta was reared on his father’s farm, where he acquired a practical experience in the details of farm labor, and also learned the carpenter’s trade. In September, 1871, he was married to Miss Nancy Mary Frakes. Mrs. Vannatta is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Frakes, and was born in Indiana, June 16, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Vannatta have nine children, all of whom, with one exception, are now living. Their names are as follows: Daniel Voorhees, Robert Allen, Benjamin Franklin, Homer Gibbs, John Milton, Elijah Hubbard, George Elmer and Lucy. Mr. Vannatta is a Democrat in politics, and was elected Justice of the Peace by that party. His wife and himself are members of the hard-shell Baptist Church. |
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