Overlooked or Blinded by Assumption

Searching for James (1832-1881) and Jennie (1855-1932) Banta

AI-generated image of James Banta riding in a lightning storm

Rolling thunder shook the foundation and lightning filled the room with bursts of glare as heavy rain pounded the roof of their isolated farmhouse. Young Jennie Banta was laboring hard to birth their second child, and it was not going well. James needed help and this would not wait for the weather to clear. He mounted his horse and raced into the stormy night to beg the doctor to come help. The doctor agreed and arrived in time to successfully deliver a healthy baby girl into the world. James however was not as fortunate, for he was struck dead by lightning as he rode back home. A heroic act of chivalry to save the child he would never see. A daunting future for the widow with a newborn, a two-year-old, and three step-children to raise alone on the Kansas prairie of the Wild West.

This is the story of James and Jennie Banta passed down to me by their grandson, my grandfather, Marvin Banta. I was fascinated and wanted to know more about them. Jennie lived another fifty years, eventually remarried to John McDonald, and had two sons with him. The McDonald boys grew to be successful and helped my grandfather get work during the Depression. My grandfather wanted me to know that the McDonalds were family; that they were good people, and helped when they needed it most.

Obituary for Jennie McDonald, from the collection

of Nina Banta, unknown date or name of the newspaper

I still wanted to learn more about James and Jennie. The only physical remnant we had was Jennie’s obituary which had a single line related to James: “She was married in 1877 to James Banta who died near Alma in 1881.” I felt he deserved more. I was sure that given the circumstances of James’ death, there would be some mention of it in the local newspaper at that time or at the very least an obituary. I wanted to honor James and Jennie by preserving their story and sharing it with their descendants. That became the focus of my first genealogical research project.

At that time, this meant spending time in the reference room of the university library going through old newspapers on microfilm borrowed from the University of Kansas. I also reviewed copies of the 1880 US Census. Although my research was slowed by a lack of modern technology, it was even more impaired by my own assumptions.

10 Assumptions That Hindered My Research of James and Jennie Banta
Assumption	Fact Discovered
1. They were a young couple	There was a significant age gap: James was 48 and Jennie was 25 in 1880.
2. It was their first marriage	It was the third marriage for both. James was twice widowed. Jennie was widowed and divorced.
3. Jennie would be her first name	She was using “Jane” as her first name
4. Marriage license would be James Banta – Jennie Brock	The marriage license listed James Banta – Jane Bourassa, with Jennie going by Jane and using her previous married name. The Banta Genealogy publication also listed her as Jane Bourassa.
5. The 1880 census would show a household of 3 (husband, wife, and one child).	The 1880 census showed a household of 6 (husband, wife, and four children). Three of James’ 10 children by his second wife were still living at home in 1880.
6. The child of James and Jennie would be a two-year-old boy named Theodore James Banta.	The 1880 census listed a two-year-old daughter named Dora Banta. Dora was his nickname, the enumerator assumed a girl. The initial Banta Genealogy listed him as Dora, a daughter.
7. Their daughter’s name would be recorded as Belle.	The Banta Genealogy listed her as Isabella.
8. James Banta died on the day of his daughter’s birth.	James Banta died the week before his daughter’s birth.
9. James Banta died while riding his horse during a thunderstorm.	James Banta died in an accidental fall from his wagon on a clear day.
10. Family history is stories that accurately reflect past events.	My family history includes variations of facts that make the best of a difficult situation.

I did eventually find the news accounts of James’ death, as well as his obituary. The actual story is not nearly as impressive as the one passed on from my grandparents. However, I better understand the importance of sharing memorable stories to honor those who have passed, and how it can be some consolation for children who never knew their father. So I embrace the story for what it is: a stretch of the truth to help two young children growing up in difficult circumstances.

For me the lesson went far beyond the story. I learned to assume little, question all, and be open to find a truth that stretches the imagination rather than a myth to meet the need. An interesting fact to end with, is that Jennie Brock Bourassa Darling Banta McDonald is laid to rest near James at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Maple Hill Kansas.