California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


CHRISTOPHER H. BANTA. The owner of a pleasant home and farm in Fresno county, 
C. H. Banta, of Dos Palos Colony, is widely and favorably known as justice of the peace for 
the First District of Fresno county, which includes nearly all the west side of the county. 
Liberal and enterprising, he is also noted for his keen intelligence, and sound judgment as a 
public official, his decisions being marked by fairness and impartiality. A son of William J. 
Banta, he was born April 22, 1855, near Clinton, Henry county. Mo. His paternal grandfather, 
A. Banta, was one of the hardy pioneers that assisted in settling Missouri. He afterward re- 
moved to Colorado, and there spent the declining years of his life, dying in 1883. 

Although born in Kentucky, William J. Banta grew to manhood in Missouri, and there com- 
menced life for himself as a farmer. Removing with his family to Colorado, he settled first near 
Pueblo as an agriculturist, but went from there to Cripple Creek, where he discovered and 
opened mines that proved of great value. He accumulated great wealth in his operations, and 
now has two homes, one in Idaho, and one at Dos Palos, Cal. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Margaret Goff, was a native of Tennessee. 

The oldest of a family of nine children, C. H. Banta spent the days of his boyhood and youth 
in Colorado, going there when eight years old, and receiving his early education in the public 
schools. Turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he afterward worked on cattle ranches 
and as a teamster for a while. He subsequently traveled extensively in Colorado, becoming ac- 
quainted with all parts of the state, for a short time being employed as clerk in Durango. Com- 
ing to California in 1884, Air. Banta located in what is now Kings county, and for two years 
followed farming for a living. Locating in Firebaugh in 1886, he worked during the summer 
seasons for Miller & Lux for a number of years, while in the winter he was busily employed in 
hunting, supplying the local and city markets with ducks and geese. In 1899 Mr. Banta set- 
tled in Dos Palos Colony, his residence and farm being in Fresno county, where he operates ten 
acres of land. Being elected justice of the. peace in November, 1902, he took the oath of office in 
January, 1903, and has since served ably and faithfully in this position, his services being rec- 
ognized and appreciated by all concerned. The territory over which he has official jurisdiction 
embraces a large part of the west side of Fresno county, and he has two offices, one at Firebaugh 
and one at Mendota. 

Mr. Banta married, in Fresno, Mrs. Sarah P. (Johnson) Dye, who was born in West Virginia, 
and came to Dos Palos in 1894. By her former marriage four sons were born, Homer, Clarence, 
Frinzy and Evert. The only child born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Banta is a son, named 
Leonard. In his political views Mr. Banta is a stanch Republican, and is an active member of 
the party, at the present time being a member of the Republican county central committee. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Knights of the 
Maccabees and of the Fraternal Aid.