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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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JOSEPH E. BALLIET, Teller of the Allentown National Bank, was born in this city September 18, 1837. He is a son of Bartholomew Balliet, whose father, John, was of French descent. The parents of our subject are both deceased, the father having died in 1858, and the mother, whose maiden name was Ann Leonard Weiss, in 1882. The former was for many years engaged as a contractor and builder in Allentown. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of ten children, of whom seven attained years of maturity. The rudiments of his education were acquired in the public schools of Allentown, and later he was a student in the academy and seminary of this city. He then secured a position as telegraph operator, and was stationed at Mauch Chunk and other points in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, continuing in this capacity for fourteen years. Afterward he had charge of the express office at Mauch Chunk for a number of years.

In February, 1857, Mr. Balliet entered the employ of the Allentown National Bank in the capacity of Teller, which responsible position he has continued to fill to the present time. For some time he filled the office of President of the Coplay Cement Company. For thirty years he served as Deputy County Treasurer, and also was the incumbent of the office of City Auditor.

Socially Mr. Balliet is a member of Lehigh Lodge, I. O. O. F., and has served as Past Grand of that organization. In addition to his other valuable interests he is the owner of two good farms, which he rents to reliable tenants. All measures calculated to promote the welfare of the people receive his hearty support. He is public-spirited and progressive, a generous contributor to philanthropic projects and a champion of needed reforms. He is a man of sincere religious belief, and for some time served his church as Vestryman.

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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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