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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 892-893
SAMUEL B. VANNATTA was for many years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Grant county, but is now living a retired life in the city of Platteville. A native of New Jersey, he was born in Warren county, Oct. 29, 1834, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (KISHPAUGH) VANNATTA, who were also born in that county. In 1846 the father removed with his family to Virginia, and ten years later came to Grant county, Wis., locating in Harrison township, where he transformed a tract of wild land into a good farm, making it his home until his death in 1880. Throughout life he followed agricultural pursuits. His wife died in the same township in 1889. They were the parents of ten children nine of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Jane MASSY, of Virginia; Samuel B., of this review; Mrs. TRAVIS, of Nebraska; Mrs. CHANNING of Dubuque, Iowa; Morgan, who was a member of the 25th W.V.I., during the Civil war and died at Helena, Ark., in 1864, his remains being brought back to Grant county for interment; Silas, a farmer of Harrison township; Mrs. Otera WILSON, of Platteville; Ann, wife of E. J. MARVEL, of Platteville; H. L. a farmer, of Platteville township; and Mrs. Allie KIES, of Lafayette county, Wisconsin.
The first twelve years of his life Samuel B. VANNATTA passed in his native State, and then accompanied his parents of their removal to Virginia. In 1856 he came to Grant county, Wis., and opened up and improved a good farm in Harrison township. He successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1884, when he removed to Platteville, and is now living in ease, retired from active labor.
During the war of the Rebellion Mr. VANNATTA responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting at Platteville, in 1862, for three years or during the war. He became a member of Company E, 25th Wis. V.I., which was assigned to the Western Army, and was under the command of General Sherman in the siege of Atlanta, the battle of Decatur, Ga., and on the March to the Sea, as well as the Carolina campaign. Mr. VANNATTA participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D.C. at the close of the war, and was honorably discharged from the service at Madison, Wis., in 1865.
In 1862 Mr. VANNATTA was married in Grant county to Miss Mary LUCE, a native of Wisconsin, daughter of Perry and Nancy LUCE. By this union there was born a son, S. B., now a resident of Harrison township. The wife and mother died in 1863, and in 1866 Mr. VANNATTA was again married, in Grant county, his second wife being Miss Cynthia KIES, who was born in this county, a daughter of David KIES, one of the first settlers of Grant county, where he took up government land and continued to make his home here until death. Mrs. Cynthia VANNATTA died in Harrison township, in 1877, leaving four children: Elias, now a resident of Grand Rapids, Wis.; Arena, also of Grand Rapids; Alma, at home; and Daniel, who lives on his father's farm. In 1880 Mr. VANNATTA wedded Miss Jane SPRAGUE, a native of England, and a daughter of Thomas SPRAGUE, a pioneer of Grant county, where he died in 1853. This wife died in Platteville, June 23, 1898, leaving one child, Bessie.
Mr. VANNATTA is an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is also connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and W. T. Sherman Post, No. 66, G.A.R. He is an earnest advocate of Republican principles, and, while a resident of Harrison township, filled the offices of township treasurer and assessor to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. His sterling integrity and honorable, upright manhood fully entitle him to the position which he holds in the estimation of the people of his community.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck