Hello,
I've been doing some research for a surprise for my husband. You see, he just won the November 2nd Sheriff's election in San Juan County, New Mexico. His name is Kenneth W. Christesen. He received more votes than any other candidate in the history of San Juan County. 5500 square miles. That's a lot of campaigning! 20 + years as a deputy, sergeant, lieutenant and now....Sheriff. You can also read about Ken in an article written by "Judith Miller" (pulitzer prize winner) in the Autumn 2009 "City Journal". The article is named, "The Mexicanization of American Law Enforcement". Ken is interviewed about Mexican cartels and how corruption is a huge problem within the law enforcement community.
The connection....Ken's great grandfather was Oliver Wilson Banta, son of David Riley Banta, son of Isaac William Banta.
O.W. (Oliver Wilson) aka, "Tex Banta, Mountain Man of the 1880's" had his story published in an Old West magazine, 1966 (spring issue) thanks to Wayne Spiller, another "Banta". Tex was quite a storyteller. My research thus far has shown that a lot of the Banta's were story tellers. Ken included. It is also my understanding that Isaac Banta was one of the first Justice's of the Peace/Sheriff's in Texas. Along with the Banta's Texas Ranger history, I find it quite fitting that Ken would follow in his family's footsteps.
I'm putting together a scrapbook/family history book.
I have searched high and low for a copy of Captain William Banta's book, '27 Years on the Frontier' (Texas) and can't find a thing except in a library in Austin, Texas. If anyone can suggest how I might find a copy I would be so very grateful. It would mean a great deal to Ken.
I have a copy of the Old West magazine, Ken's mother, Georgia Belle (named after her great aunt), saved original copies for each of Tex's grandchildren. But, I can't find one now. If anyone knows how I might find copies of that I would love to buy them for our children. Thank you for reading. Hope this is interesting to some.