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Silas A. VanNatta
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Silas A. VanNatta
debbie_konietzki
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    Replies: 0
    Posted: 22 Mar 2001 5:00 AM
    Classification: Obituary
    Edited: 14 Aug 2002 6:17 AM
    Surnames: Vannatta, Kishpaugh, Withrow

At Cornilia
1939
After a brief illness, Silas A. VANNATTA passed away last Sunday. He was 88 years of age, and for many years a highly esteemed resident of Platteville, Wisconsin.

Silas A. VanNatta, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (KISHPAUGH) VanNatta was born near Fredricksburg, Virginia, November 10, 1850. At the age of six years his family left Virginia, traveling by train west to the Mississippi River, and thence by boat up the river to Dubuque, and establishing a home near the Platte River at Cornelia. The house priviously built was a brick structure which was unusual at that day and this house and farm became their permanent home.

Mr. VanNatta had vivid memories of the rugged pioneer days, when bears and wolves were by no means rare, crude farming, bridgeless streams, the civil war days, two of his brothers serving in the army with only one returning. The slow uncertain mail service during the dark war days when letters were eagerly waited for with grave anxiety.

February 5, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Lavina WITHROW. Five children blessed this union. Two little daughters passed away in childhood. They engaged in farming in this locality and some years after his father's death they purchased the old home where they lived for a number of years. Something remarkable about this is that the farm is now occupied by the fifth generation in the VanNatta family.

Mr. VanNatta served the public in a number of offices, being a member of the County board, the School Board, Road Supervisor, and Town Chairman. He was a highly respected and good citizen.

In 1910 Mr. and Mrs. VanNatta left the farm and moved to a house they purchased on South Court Street in Platteville. October 22, 1922 Mrs. VanNatta passed away and since that time he has made his home with his son Howard and their family. He was the last surviving member of a family of ten children.

He leaves to mourn their loss two daughters, Jennie, Mrs. George HARMS, and Verna, Mrs. George STEINHOFF, and one son Howard. There are eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

The memorial services were held Tuesday afternoon, May 2, in the Cornelia Congregational Church of which he was a loyal supporter, and were conducted by the pastor, Robert F. Merritt. The body was borne to its last resting place beside his wife in the Cornelia cemetery by his grandsons: Harry and Clarence HARMS, Lester STEINHOFF, George VanNatta, Robert HORN and David PARISH.