My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN W. BALLIET, of Slatington, is one of the wealthy and influential citizens of the county. He was born in the town of Bowmans, Carbon County, this state, December 16, 1869, and is the son of John Balliet, whose birth occurred at Balliettsville, this county, November 13, 1819.

The father of our subject received a very meager education. When quite young he began working among the charcoal furnaces, in this manner becoming thoroughly acquainted with the business. Later, in partnership with his brothers, Paul and Aaron, he embarked in the charcoal business, purchasing furnaces at Balliettsville, and held the position of Superintendent of the company. They soon afterward removed their plant to East Penn Township, Carbon County, where they became connected with the East Penn Charcoal Furnace, which was subsequently, in 1862, partially destroyed by a freshet. John Balliet also owned furnaces in other portions of the state, and at the same time was the possessor of considerable valuable real estate.

The father of our subject was married to Miss Amanda Rehrig, a native of East Penn Township, Carbon County, and to them was born a family of ten children, five of whom are still living. The elder Mr. Balliet departed this life January 5, 1885, leaving his widow, who now resides in Slatington. He was a man widely known throughout the state as one of its most prominent citizens. He was a Director in the Slatington Bank for a number of years, had an interest in the Lehigh Iron Company at Aineyville, the Coplay Iron Company at Coplay, and was a member of the City Council for a number of years. Thus it will be seen that he was very active in the business and political life of Slatington.

John W. Balliet, of this sketch, was quite young when he removed with his parents to this city, and received his primary education in the common schools. When a lad of sixteen years, he became a student in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pa., where he remained for two and one-half years, and then entered the State Normal at Kutztown. After completing his education, he embarked in business at Bowmans, and several years later engaged with his father in conducting a planing mill and lumber business.

In April, 1890, our subject became associated with his father-in-law, Henry Bittner, in the hotel business, and during the time in which he was thus employed proved himself to be a wide-awake and enterprising hotel man. In politics he has always been a Republican, believing in protection to home industries. Socially he is a prominent Mason, holding membership with Slatington Lodge No. 440, and is a charter member of the Knights of Malta and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is connected with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and belongs to the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Mr. Balliet has always taken an active part in politics, and when a young man of twenty-one years was elected Secretary of the Lehigh County Republican Convention. March 11, 1893, he was elected to the City Council for a term of three years, polling the largest vote ever known in Slatington. He is Secretary of the Poor Fund, and holds the same position in the French Coach Horse Association, of which he was one of the organizers. He is a member of the Slatington Gun Club, belongs to Fire Company No. 1 in the city, and also to Vigilant Fire Company No. 2.

July 28, 1888, John W. Balliet was united in marriage with Miss Annie, daughter of Henry Bittner, who is one of the wealthy and prominent citizens of Slatington. To them have been born a son and daughter: Henry John and Irene Ellen. Our subject is a valued member of the Reformed Church, to which he contributes regularly and liberally of his means.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Lehigh County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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