James H. Banther
James H. Banther, a farmer and stockman of Gill Township, Sullivan County, is a native of this township, born April 13, 1866, a son of Cyrus and Nancy Banther, whose sketch will appear elsewhere in this work. He was educated in the district schools of his native county and in Turman and Gill Townships especially. He remained at home with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and the following season worked as a farm hand for others. Being seized with the western fever he went to Coles County, Illinois, where he found employment on the railroad for three years, and in 1872 returned to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he worked in the car shops for about three years, and also followed carpentering. In 1895 he returned home and was employed by his father for seven years, which was up to the spring of 1902, at which date he purchased forty acres of land where he now resides, and upon which he has placed all of the improvements, including house, barns, fences, etc. Here he carries on general farming, and pays special attention to hog raising. Mr. Banther is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and carries a two thousand dollar beneficiary policy with the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a believer in Republican principles and platforms, but has never aspired to public office.
In relation to his domestic life let it be stated that Mr. Banter married, February 21, 1889, Miss Minnie McClure, born in Hamilton Township, Sullivan County, Indiana, May 11, 1872, a daughter of Dr. Griswold Barton and Mary (Mason) McClure, both natives of Sullivan County. The mother was born May 6, 1837, and the father January15, 1836. They reside on truck farm after 1891, and before that date had farmed in Gill Township. After the father's death the mother sold the place and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Dora Hart, in Sullivan until her death in 1904. In the McClure family there were seven children, all now deceased except Mrs. Banther and her sister Dora, wife of Philip Hart. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Banter are as follows:
William Harry, born September 2, 1889.
One who died in infancy, born May 13, 1891.
An infant born February 14, 1896, and died early.
George Dewey, born May 8, 1898.
James Garry, born April 24, 1902.
One who was born September 7, 1904, and died early.
Cyrus Henry, born November 18, 1906.
Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 318-319.