Samuel Banta is a native of Henry County, Ky., born May 16, 1831; he is the son of Peter and Vroucha (Van Nuys) Banta. His parents were also natives of Kentucky, and both died in Franklin Township, Johnson County, Ind., in 1851. When about five years of age, our subject came with his parents to this county, where he grew to manhood on the farm. He received a limited education, and for a short time worked as a farm hand by the month. In 1853, he settled where he resides, owning an excellent farm of 160 acres. Mr. Banta was married November 27, 1862, to Miss Elzora, daughter of Simon and Salina Hedden, natives of Kentucky, and who came to this county in 1840. Mrs. Banta was born in Franklin, November 20,1840. A staunch republican in politics, he manifests an active interest in the welfare and public prosperity of his township, county and state. Mr. and Mrs. Banta are members of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, he having joined the same at the age of twenty-three, and she at the age of sixteen years.