Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. 
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884

MORGAN COUNTY
ADAMS TOWNSHIP
PAGE 295

COL. WILLIAM C. BANTA, M. D., was born in Hendricks County, Ind.,
August 31, 1839, and is one of ten children born to Cornelius and Rebecca
(Eckles) Banta;  both natives of Kentucky.  The ancestors of the former
were of Italian and Scotch extraction.  Cornelius Banta came to Madison
County, Ind., at a date prior to the organization of the State.  After a few
years, he removed to what was known as the Brick Tavern, near Stilesville,
Hendricks  Co., Ind.  His place was a regular stopping place for stage-
coaches over the old National pike, running between St. Louis and Cincin-
nati.  In 1838, he removed to Belleville, where he remained until 1850, when
he removed to Whitley County, Ind., where he bought a farm and resided
two years;   then returned to Belleville, where he again engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits and resided until his death, which occurred in 1857.  Mr. Banta
and wife were members of the Christian Church.  William C. Banta, the 
subject, received a good common school and academic education, and was
employed in his father's store until the latter's death, after which the support
of the family devolved upon him.  When in his eighteenth year, he commen-
ced teaching school and studying medicine under the instruction of Drs. 
Moor and Kennedy, of Belleville.  In April, 1861, he resigned his school,
went to Indianapolis and enrolled in Company A, Seventh Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, the first Indiana regiment recruited for the three months' service.
They participated in the battle of Philippi.  At the close of the three months'
service, in August, 1861, Col Banta reorganized and filled up his company, 
A, from seventy to one hundred men, in a day and night, for the three years'
service, and was chosen Captain.  After about one year, he was promoted
to Major, and soon after to Lieutenant Colonel.  The Colonel of the regiment,
I. G. Grover, was captured in the battle of the Wilderness, after which Col.
Banta commanded until the regiment was mustered out.  He also, for a
short time, commanded the First Brigade, of the First Division, of the First
Army Corps.  Col. Banta participated in all the principal battles in which
the Armies of West Virginia and the Potomac were engaged to the fall of
1864.  In 1862, at the battle of Port Republic he was severely wounded
in the right shoulder by a shell, and was mustered out with his regiment at
Indianapolis, in September, 1864.  He then engaged in the drug trade at 
Belleville, Ind. and continued  the same some five years;   he also resumed
his medical studies.  In the spring of 1870, he graduated from "The Indiana
Medical College," at Indianapolis, and in June of the same year came to 
Eminence, Morgan Co., Ind., where he has since practiced his profession 
with excellent success.  He was married, August 25, 1861, to Elizabeth
May, a native of Montgomery County, Ind.  Eight children, three sons and 
five daughters, blessed their union, all of whom are yet living.  The Doctor
and wife are members of the Christian Church.  He is a member of the 
Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and has been a member of the Grand
Lodge of the State in both orders.  In politics, Col. Banta is a stanch
Republican, and is one of the leading and representative men of the county.

Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn 

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