John Balliet (1819-1886)

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Family

John Balliet was born on November 13, 1819 in Ballietsville, North Whitehall Township, PA to Stephen Balliet (1781-1854) and Susan Iherie[1]. His grandparents were Stephen Balliet (1753-1821) and Magdalena Burgalter (1765-1805)[2]. John Balliet had fourteen children[3]. Ten of his children were with Amanda Rehrig (1838-1907)[4] and are as follows: Isabella Balliet (1854-1888)[5]; Alice Balliet (1859-1879)[6]; Lewis Balliet (1862-1930)[7]; Emma Balliet Semmel (1864-1934); John William Balliet (1869-1934)[8]; Amanda Sabina Balliet[9]; Benjamin Matthis Balliet(1873-1881)[10]; Martha Sophia Balliet (1876-1949)[11]; Charles David Balliet(1882-1882)[12]; and Harry Balliet(1878-1949)[13]. In the 1860 Census, Amanda Rehrig, under her maiden name, was recorded as residing with William Rehrig and his family in East Penn Township, Carbon County, PA with her children Isabella, age five, and Alice, age one[14][1]. In 1870, she was in the same township, living with John and their children; however, she was the last person on the entry, still identified by her maiden name, and listed as a "House Keeper" under "Profession, Occupation, or Trade of each person, male or female"[15][2] rather than "Keeping House," the common entry for wives. In 1880, their census entry had John and Amanda, listed as his wife, living in Lower Towamensing, Carbon County with their younger children[16][3].

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From 1856-1874, John Balliet lived with Elizabeth Dankel (1839-after 6/22/1880[4]) as his wife, though they were not married[17]. Elizabeth Dankel was no older than her young teens when her relationship with John Balliet began. During their time together, they had four children[18], including Susan Balliet (1853[19]–1931)[20], Steven John Balliet (1860–1919)[21], Mary J. Balliet (1864–1930)[22], and Minerva Balliet (1870–1951)[23]. They resided in East Penn[5] until May, 1866, when they moved to Slatington[6], purchased land, and built a house; John Balliet gave Elizabeth Dankel the deed[24]. In 1874, John Balliet left Dankel and brought suit against her to force her out of the Slatington house. Although the local judge agreed with John Balliet, the case went to the Supreme Court, who ruled that Balliet legally possessed the land[25][7]; [26][8]. Census records indicate that Elizabeth resided with John in the 1860 Census of Washington Township as a maid[9] but not in 1870[10]. In the 1880 census [11], Elizabeth was living in the household of her daughter Mary and son-in-law, John Romine, in Slatington.

John Balliet died on January 5, 1886.

Early Life

John Balliet was raised with a minimal education[27] and took a position working at the Lehigh Furnace, which was owned by his father[28]. He later became the co-owner, alongside his brothers Paul Balliet (1811-1886) and Aaron Balliet (1813-1895), and superintendent of said property[29]. In the 1860 Census of Washington Township, John Balliet was listed as the Superintendent of the furnace, and the value of his real estate was noted as being $52,000[30][12].

Places of Residence and Work

After moving away from his hometown, John Balliet moved to East Penn Township to become the superintendent of the East Penn Furnace, which was later partially destroyed by floods[31]. John Balliet rebuilt, leased, and successfully ran the furnace for many years. In 1864 Slatington, PA was incorporated as a borough and John Balliet served on the council of the borough in 1882[32]. In 1872 he moved to Bowmansville[33] and later was listed as a grocer in Lower Towamensing, Carbon County, PA where he resided with Amanda and six of their children according to the 1880 census[13][34].

Business

While living at home John went into the business of the Lehigh Charcoal Furnace. Worked to be a valuable asset to his father Stephen Balliet who owned the furnace. Meanwhile John also familiarized himself with the furnace and ultimately took over ownership [35]. John Balliet was the owner of Balliet's charcoal furnace in Ashfield[14][36], also known as the East Penn Furnace. John Balliet purchased the East Penn Forge and Furnace in 1858 and ran it until his death in 1886. He was listed as an ironmaster in the 1870 East Penn, Carbon County, Pennsylvania Census[37]. The furnace ceased operation following the death of John Balliet, bringing an end to the charcoal furnaces in the Lehigh Valley.

John Balliet was the director of the National Bank of Slatington, which was organized in 1875[38]. He was also a shareholder of the Lehigh furnace in Allentown and the Coplay Iron Company[39]. John Balliet was also a member of the city council for several years[40].

John Balliet owned extensive real estate, a planing mill, and a lumberyard[41]. John Balliet also possessed several farms and he built and refurbished buildings[42]. In addition, he owned a store in Bowmanstown[43] and was the owner of the Bowmanstown Hotel[44]. Much of this land was used for charcoal production, which provided the fuel for the two iron furnaces and the forge. John Balliet's lands, totaling more than eight hundred acres, were sold at an Orphans' Court Sale by Victor Bowman and Lewis F. Balliet on December 20, 1890[15]"[45].

Notes

  1. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 555
  2. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 555
  3. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  4. ↑ Find a Grave
  5. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  6. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  7. ↑ Find a Grave
  8. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  9. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  10. ↑ Find a Grave
  11. ↑ Find a Grave
  12. ↑ Find a Grave
  13. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  14. ↑ United States Census, 1860
  15. ↑ United States Census, 1870
  16. ↑ United States Census, 1880
  17. ↑ Reading Times, March 12, 1878
  18. ↑ Weekly Notes of Cases 1880, 387-388
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania County Marriages
  20. ↑ Find a Grave
  21. ↑ Find a Grave
  22. ↑ Find a Grave
  23. ↑ Find a Grave
  24. ↑ Reading Times, March 12, 1878
  25. ↑ Reading Times, March 12, 1878
  26. ↑ Weekly Notes of Cases 1880, 387-388
  27. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 556
  28. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 555
  29. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 555
  30. ↑ United States Census, 1860
  31. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 556
  32. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 560
  33. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 556
  34. ↑ United States Census 1880
  35. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 555-556
  36. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  37. ↑ United States Census, 1870
  38. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 564
  39. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 556
  40. ↑ Portrait and Biographical Record 1894, 268
  41. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 556
  42. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 556
  43. ↑ Mathews and Hungerford 1884, 767
  44. ↑ Brenckman 1913, 370
  45. ↑ Carbon Advocate December 13, 1890

References

  • Brenckman, Frederick Charles. 1913. History of Carbon County, Pennsylvania: Also Containing a Separate Account of the Several Boroughs and Townships in the County, with Biographical Sketches. Harrisburg, Pa: J. J. Nungesser.
  • The Carbon Advocate. 1890. Orphans’ Court Sale of Very Valuable Real Estate!- John Balliet, December 13, 1890.
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 May 2020), memorial page for Amanda Rehrig Balliet (5 May 1838–11 Mar 1907), Find a Grave Memorial no. 131064679, citing Union Cemetery, Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Jill (contributor 47510712) .
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 May 2020), memorial page for Benjamine Balliet (28 Apr 1873–15 Nov 1881), Find a Grave Memorial no. 131064808, citing Union Cemetery, Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Jill (contributor 47510712).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 May 2020), memorial page for Charles David Balliet (17 Feb 1882–8 Sep 1882), Find a Grave Memorial no. 131064908, citing Union Cemetery, Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Jill (contributor 47510712).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 May 2020), memorial page for Lewis F. Balliet (4 Nov 1862–30 Jun 1930), Find a Grave Memorial no. 78306618, citing Towamensing Cemetery, Palmerton, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Tim Gruber (contributor 47185765).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 May 2020), memorial page for Martha S Balliet Neyer (1876–1949), Find a Grave Memorial no. 155545043, citing Union Cemetery, Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Lois Revenaugh (contributor 46922006).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 May 2020), memorial page for Mary J. Balliet Romine (1864–1930), Find a Grave Memorial no. 114161118, citing Mount Vernon Cemetery, Elizabeth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by L Evans (contributor 47540766).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 28 May 2020), memorial page for Minerva Balliet Risher (17 Jul 1870–8 Jun 1951), Find a Grave Memorial no. 83253594, citing Homestead Cemetery, Munhall, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by BAM28 (contributor 47071438).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 28 May 2020), memorial page for Stephen John Balliet (18 Jun 1860–4 Dec 1919), Find a Grave Memorial no. 80473979, citing Alliance City Cemetery, Alliance, Stark County, Ohio, USA ; Maintained by Jason Walker (contributor 47292757).
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 May 2020), memorial page for Susan Balliet Shortz (29 Nov 1854–24 May 1931), Find a Grave Memorial no. 187048720, citing Forty Fort Cemetery, Forty Fort, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by Jane Cockayne Weaver (contributor 48493052).
  • Mathews, Alfred, and Austin N Hungerford. 1884. History of the Counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Everts & Richards.
  • Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950, database with images, FamilySearch : 7 January 2020, Amos Shortz and Susan L Rupert, 18 May 1902; citing Marriage, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States, multiple County Clerks, Pennsylvania.
  • Portrait and Biographical Record of Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon Counties, Pennsylvania: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties, Together with Biographies and Portraits of the Presidents of the United States. 1894. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co.
  • Reading Times. 1878. What Constitutes a Conveyance of Land, March 12, 1878.
  • United States Census, 1860, database with images, FamilySearch : 24 March 2017, Pennsylvania > Carbon > East Penn Township > image 22 of 22; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • United States Census. 1860. Database with images, FamilySearch : 24 March 2017, Pennsylvania > Lehigh > Washington Township > image 59 of 61; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • United States Census, 1870, database with images, FamilySearch : 15 June 2019, Pennsylvania > Carbon > East Penn > image 3 of 22; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • United States Census. 1870. Database with images, FamilySearch : 22 May 2014, Pennsylvania > Lehigh > Slatington > image 32 of 40; citing NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • United States Census. 1880. Database with images, FamilySearch : 24 December 2015, Pennsylvania > Lehigh > Slatington > ED 188 > image 31 of 33; citing NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • United States Census, 1880, database with images, FamilySearch : 24 December 2015, Pennsylvania > Carbon > Lower Towamensing > ED 121 > image 9 of 37; citing NARA microfilm publication T9, (National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C., n.d.)
  • Weekly Notes of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, The County Courts of Philadelphia, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Members of the Bar. 1880. Vol. VIII. Philadelphia, Pa.: Kay and Brother. [16].
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