AARON VAN NATTA is the oldest business man of Montmorenci, and is well and favorable known
throughout the county. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, January 7, 1822, a son of
JOHN S. and SARAH (HAIGH) VAN NATTA, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of
England. In 1829 they came with their family to this county, making the entire journey by
wagon, and settled on section 3, Shelby Township. The mother died in February, 1849, and
the father October 26, 1868. They were the parents of seven children--AARON, ELIZABETH
(deceased), RACHEL (deceased), MARIA J. (wife of JOHN FISHER, of Battle Ground), WILLIAM
S., JOB H., and JAMES G.
AARON VAN NATTA was about eight years of age when he came to this county. He remained at
home until 1841, when he entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, remaining there about
fifteen months. In 1843 and 1844 he read law, and was
admitted to the bar of Warren County, but never followed the legal profession. He was
first married March 4, 1846, to
RHODA A. CLARK, and to this union was born one child, SALLIE J., who is now deceased.
Mrs. VAN NATTA died
August 30, 1873, and he was again married to Mrs. MARGARET E. (MOORE) SHIGLEY, and they
are the parents of three children--LAURA O., JOHN W. (deceased) and MARGARET M. Mr. VAN
NATTA established his present mercantile business at Montomorency in 1856, in the building
he now owns and occupies. He is one of the most successful men of his township, having
accumulated 1,736 acres of land, besides a good many town lots. Mrs. VAN NATTA owns 280
acres of land in Wabash Township. Mr. VAN NATTA was appointed postmaster at Montmorency
in 1860, a position he filled acceptably until 1880. He was also justice of the peace
four years. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pp. 630-631
Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1888