Edmund F. Ballinger
For nearly half a century the late Edmund F. Ballinger was one of the well known agriculturist of Jefferson Township, Grant County, and during this time through his careful management, sound judgment and unflagging industry he overcame many obstacles and steadily worked his way upward until prosperity crowned his labors with a fitting reward. It was not alone in the material things of life, however, that Mr. Ballinger attained success, for his thorough integrity and honorable dealing won him the unqualified respect of his fellow men, and his memory is still kept green in the hearts of a wide circle of friends who recognized and appreciated his many sterling qualities.
Mr. Ballinger was descended from an old southern family, his grandparents, James and Rebecca Ballinger, being natives of Tennessee. There their children Josiah, Daniel, James and a daughter were born, and during the latter twenties or early thirties, the family migrated to Indiana and entered land in Miami County. Later removal was made to Grant County, where the grandfather carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred at Upland, in advanced years. He had married a second time, to Nancy McCoy, and they became the parents of a large family of children. The second Mrs. Ballinger died when eighty years of age, and both she and her husband were laid to rest in Jefferson Church Cemetery. She was a charter member of this church of the Christian faith, to which Mr. Ballinger had originally belonged, although he later joined the Society of Friends.
Josiah Ballinger was born in Tennessee about the year 1815, and was still a youth when he accompanied his parents to Indiana. He was married in Miami County, in 1842, to Miss Tama R. Cook, and at that time entered land, on which he resided until 1860, then coming to Grant County and settling on a property on Section 5, in Jefferson Township. This tract contained something over 100 acres, partly improved, and here the father built a hewed-log house, weather-boarded, and plastered, which was his home until his death. Like his father, he belonged to the Quaker faith, and was a man of sturdy qualities. After his death, Mrs. Ballinger contracted a second marriage, being united with Richard Deeren, a Civil War veteran, who died at the Soldiers' home, in February, 1913. Mrs. Deeren passed away at Upland, at the age of seventy-two years, in the faith of the Methodist Church, of which her husband was also a member.
Edmund F. Ballinger was born in Miami County, Indiana, July 21, 1851, and was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to Grant County. Here he grew to manhood in Jefferson Township, attending the district school and assisting his father in the work of the home farm, and after the death of the elder man he bought the Ballinger property, to which he subsequently added forty acres. He continued to cultivate this land and to make improvements here until his death, which occurred September 15, 1908. Mr. Ballinger was a skilled farmer, developed his property to a high state of cultivation, and it contains a good set of buildings, including a large white house and two commodious red barns. While he met with success in his general farming operations he was probably better known as a breeder of thoroughbred Shropshire sheep, and his animals carried off numerous prizes at the various county and state fairs. In political matters a Republican, he worked tirelessly for the betterment of his community, but did not seek office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his agricultural operations. His religious connection was with the United Brethren Church, to the teaching of which he was a faithful adherent.
Mr. Ballinger was married to Miss Huldah Reasoner, of Jefferson Township in 1877. She was born in Blackford County, Indiana, October 27, 1856, and was reared and educated in Jefferson Township, where she had been brought at the age of three years by her parents, Richard and Lydia (Capper) Reasoner. Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother of Virginia, and they were married in Grant County and later moved to Blackford County, but eventually returned to Jefferson Township and located on a tract of 120 acres, located on Section 5. Here they spent the remaining active years of their life, and upon their retirement went to Upland, where the father died in June, 1909, and the mother June 18, 1898. He had been born September 11, 1828, and Mrs. Reasoner November 15, 1832. They were consistent members of the New Light Christian Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger were the parents of the following children: Perry, born June 20, 1878, a resident of Antrim County, Michigan, where he owns a farm, married Cora Mulkins, and has two children, Ivory N. and Marvel P.; Elva A., born February 28, 1887, attended the Upland High School, is now the wife of William C. Horburg, and has one daughter, Melva B.; and Carrie, born October 16, 1889, educated in the graded schools and Upland High School, and now in the second year as a student of music in Taylor University, is single and residing at home. Mrs. Ballinger, who survives her husband, is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, and has many warm and appreciative friends in its congregation.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.