Biographies

PETER C. BAINTER, who is engaged in farming on section 13, Terre Haute Township, Henderson County, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Muskingum County on the 25th of September, 1830. The Bainter family is of German origin. The parents of our subject, Peter and Mary Bainter, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and in their family were seven children, namely: Abraham, who is now living a retired life in La Harpe: William A., who follows farming in Hancock County; Lucenia, wife of Samuel Gower, of La Harpe, Ill.; Andrew J., who died in 1890; Peter C; Thomas J., a farmer living in Kansas; and Mary J., who died in 1889.

The father of this family was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. In an early day he removed from the Keystone State to Ohio, and there grew to manhood and was married. He was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Muskingum County. In 1852 he emigrated to Hancock County, Ill., locating in La Harpe Township, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of wild and unimproved land. There he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits for many years, but at length removed to La Harpe, where he spent his last days in retirement. His death occurred in 1888, and his remains were interred in La Harpe Cemetery. His wife survived him three years, and was called to the home beyond in 1891.

Upon the home farm Mr. Bainter spent his childhood days, and his early education was acquired in the old-time subscription schools, which were held in a log schoolhouse, furnished in a primitive fashion. His advantages in that direction were somewhat meagre, but his training at farm labor was not limited. On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, working as a farm hand for the sum of $8 per month Afterward he engaged in operating rented land and in working for others until the spring of 1854, when he rented a farm near La Harpe, Hancock County, upon which he made his home for six years. At the expiration of that period he purchased eighty acres of land on section 13, Terre Haute Township, Henderson County, a partially improved tract, on which was a small house. Here he has lived ever since, but a great change has taken place in the appearance of his farm. Its boundaries have been extended until it now comprises three hundred and sixty acres, and upon it have been placed all modern improvements and conveniences, until it is regarded as one of the best farms in the county. He has an artesian well, and thus his stock is supplied with good water. In addition to this farm he also owns forty acres of land elsewhere.

In 1852, Mr. Bainter was united in marriage with Miss Emily Snoots, and to them have been born the following children: Nancy, wife of Robert Veach; Amanda, wife of Allen Randall; Jane, wife of George Nevius; William H.; Ada, wife of Oscar Beckett; Adell, wife of Freeman Doak; Ada E., wife of William Ross; Allie and Allen, twins; and Orpha.

Mr. Bainter exercises his right of franchise in support of the Democracy, but has never sought or desired political preferment. He is a self-made man, who started out in life empty-handed, but has made the most of his opportunities, and has steadily worked his way upward from a humble position to one of affluence. He is now the owner of a valuable farm, and is numbered among Henderson County's substantial citizens.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.