Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 284, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1917 — BANKER, FARMER CHURCHMAN DIES [ARTICLE]

BANKER, FARMER CHURCHMAN DIES

MEMBER OF FIRST GRADUATING CLASS AT PURDUE, SUCCUMBS. -a John C. VanNatta, a member of the first graduating class at Purdue university in 1878 and one of the charter members of the Sigma Chi fraternity as well as one of* the most prominent farmers and financiers in this part of the state, died Friday morning at 1 o’clock at his home at Brookston. Mr. VanNatta had been sick only one month, but had been in failing health for a year, heart trouble being given as the cause of his death. He was also one of the most prominent men in the Logansport Presbytery, having held many prominent national and local offices in the Presbyterian church. The deceased was born at London, Ind., February 19, 1857, and moved to this city with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter VanNatta, when 5 years old. In his early boyhood Mr. VanNatta served as a carrier boy on the old Lafayette Call, and as a Western Union messenger boy. Later he attended Purdue university when that institution was in its infancy, graduating with the class of 1878, the first class to receive diplomas. Mr. VanNatta, after his graduation, farmed near Kentland, on a farm owned by his father and from there werit to Montmorenci. Where he operated a grain elevator for three years. From Montmorenci he moved to Round Grove where he did grading and improvement work. In 1890 he moved ■to Brookston, and founded the B of Brookston, of which he was director and cashier as well as principal stockholder until the time of his death. He also was president and director of the Reynolds bank. Mr. VanNatta owned 1,800 acres of valuable land in White county and also a large tract in Jasper county. He was an authority on farm —and livestock topics being at all times interested in the various activities on his farms. He kept in close touch with his business and was always the friend and adviser of widows and orphans in his district. Outside of his business and family Mr. VanNatta’s interests lay in the Presbyterian church of which he was one of the state’s leaders. At one time he was treasurer of the Indiana Synod and treasurer of the Logansport Home Mission Presbytery. At different times he had attended the general assemblies of the Presbyterian church, serving as delegate from Indiana. Mr. VanNatta also was a trustee of Hanover college, a Presbyterian institution. His only lodge affiliation was with the Knights of Pythias. In- politics he was a staunch republican, being one of the party leaders in the county in which he resided, although he never sought office.