Peter C. Bainter
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.
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.
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