Page 942
WILLIAM J. BALLINGER, one of Wood River's highly respected citizens, has
been a resident of Hall County since the fall of 1881, when he accompanied
his parents to this section. For a number of years he followed farming, but
a serious accident in 1898, almost entirely disabled him for a time, and
since the fall of 1911 he has taken life a little easier in his comfortable
home in Wood River.
William J. Ballinger was born in Coles County, Illinois, March 24, 1863.
His parents were George W. and Sarah (Graves) Ballinger, the former of whom
was born in Morgan County, Indiana, December 24, 1832, and died in
Nebraska, January 25, 1919, and the latter, born in Hendricks County,
Indiana, March 14, 1837, died July 17, 1916. They were united in marriage
in 1857 and three sons and one daughter were born to them: John L.,
Francis M., William J. and Matilda J., all of whom are living. The
Ballinger family came to Hall County in the fall of 1881 and settled about
four and a half miles southwest of Wood River. William J. worked for his
father for several years and then started out for himself as a farmer.
After leaving the farm and coming to Wood River, he engaged in teaming
until two years ago, although a sad sufferer from rheumatism.
On March 23, 1890, Mr. Ballinger married Miss Emma Lewton, of Wood River.
Her parents were Newton and Sarah E. (Nesbit) Lewton, the former of whom
was born in Pike County, Illinois, May 15, 1841, and the latter near
Louisville Kentucky, August 27, 1832. They were married at Carthage, in
Hancock County, Illinois, and had two daughters and one son: Emma, Charles
and Salena, Charles Lewton resides at Huntsville, Illinois, Mrs. Salena
(Lewton) Riley, lives in Topeka, Kansas.
Mrs. Ballinger accompanied her parents when they came to Hall County in the
fall of 1871, when her father located on a homestead four and a half miles
northwest of Wood river, a practically unsettled section at that time. Mrs.
Ballinger well remembers some of the notable events of those early days,
particularly the freezing of the crops, grasshopper invasion and more than
all the memorable three days storm of 1872, when snow fell to a depth that
covered the tops of the barns. Her father was away from home at the time
and that made the situation more alarming. There were many Pawnee Indians
in the neighborhood, none of whom were savage, but all were certain to be
hungry when they visited a settler's cabin. In 1881 Mrs. Ballinger's father
removed to Wood River and went into the furniture and undertaking business.
Later her became interested in a drug store and still later a livery
business. In 1892 he embarked in a confectionery business and continued in
this line up to the time of his death, May 24, 1894. There mother of Mrs.
Ballinger died May 19, 1915.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ballinger one son was born, Charles W., on October 13,
1897. Without giving this young man undeserved praise, there is much to say
in the way of comment on his honorable career. A diligent student, he was
graduated from the Wood River high school on May 21, 1914, receiving the
coveted distinction of Honorable Graduation Diploma. While yet in school he
applied himself to acquiring the art of telegraphy, studying with Grant and
Mrs. Gard, in the Union Pacific Company as a night operator and helper.
Later he was used as relief man up and down the line for two years, and
after this experience, was placed in the office of the train dispatcher in
Grand Island. He was efficiently performing his duties there when he
enlisted, May 15, 1917, for service as a soldier because he felt his
country had need of all her loyal sons. His photograph and service record
may be found in that interesting part of this work, the soldier section.
Since his safe return to life he has gone back to his old position in Grand
Island.
The accident above referred to that so seriously injured Mr. Ballinger some
twenty years ago, was a fall over an unprotected plow shear, and his good
right arm was almost severed thereby. Nevertheless he has borne that
handicap and his later rheumatic affliction with remarkable patience and
courage. He is a member of the Wood river Lodge, No. 158, Odd Fellows, to
which he has belonged for thirty-one years. Mrs. Ballinger is a member of
the Rebekah Lodge, No. 287. She is also a member of the Presbyterian church.
