Banta, D. D. (David Demaree), 1833-1896

David Demaree Banta was born on May 23, 1833 and died on April 9, 1896. He received two degrees from Indiana University, BS in 1855 and an LLB in 1857. Banta received a LLD from Franklin College in 1888. Banta married Melissa Elizabeth Riddle Perrin on June 16, 1856, and the couple had three children. In 1857 he began practicing law in Franklin, Indiana. Other assignments included district attorney for a common pleas court (1858-60, 1862-64), principal of the Monroe County Female Seminary, trustee of the Franklin schools (1868-70), and judge for the 16th Judicial Court (1870-76). In 1877 he became a trustee of Indiana University, and from 1882-1889, he was President of IU Board of Trustees. From 1889 until his death in 1896, Banta was Dean of the IU Law School. In 1889, Banta also was appointed as the Vice President of Citizens National Bank. Among Banta's publications include the following: HISTORY OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY, "History of Johnson County," "History of the Presbyterian Church (Franklin)," and "Making a Neighborhood."

From the guide to the David D. Banta papers, 1857-1895, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)

Indiana lawyer, judge, and historian.

Trustee of Indiana University, 1877-1889, and president of Board of Trustees, 1882-1889. Dean of Indiana University Law School, 1889-1896.

From the description of David D. Banta papers, 1857-1895. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 35663471