EDWARD L. BALLENGER, who is one of the best known men in the Union Pacific yards at Grand Island, was born near Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois, July 7, 1862. His parents were James and Mary (Thompson) Ballenger. His father was a native of Illinois and the mother was born in Indiana.
In 1871 the parents of Mr. Ballenger came to Seward County, Nebraska, where the father took a homestead, living on the claim ten years. They now live at College Place, near Walla Walla, Washington. They were the parents of five children, namely: Edward L.; Lillie, who is the wife of R. C. Dunham, of Portland, Oregon; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-two; Flora, who is the wife of Austin Salesberry, of Portland, Oregon; and Harry, a railroad man in Grand Island.
Edward L. Ballenger accompanied his parents to Nebraska and was reared on a farm until the age of eighteen. In 1889 he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman and for thirty years has continued to fill this responsible position. Mr. Ballenger is accounted one of the substantial men of Grand Island, and capably served two years as a member of the city council.
Mr. Ballenger was united in marriage to Miss Myra Wilkinson, who was born at Athens, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Henry and Clara (Toles) Wilkenson. The father was a native of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and the mother was born in Green County, that state.
Mr. and Mrs. Ballenger have a son, Earl, who is also in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad. He married Miss Sina Hansen and they have a son, David Earl, a bright little lad of seven summers.
In politics Mr. Ballenger is a Republican. He is a Royal Arch Mason and belongs to the Royal Highlanders and the Order of Railway Trainmen. Mrs. Ballenger is a member of and an active worker in the Episcopal church.
