Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 769 - 770 

JOSEPH BALMER, a pioneer of Ninnescah Township, where he owns 240 acres of valuable land, on sections 3 and 4, is actively and prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits. The present flourishing condition of this township, with its splendid farms, many comfortable dwellings, fine churches and substantial school buildings, is a monument to the perseverance and labors of the brave men who, like our subject, patiently endured the trials of a pioneer life that they might develop the wonderful and varied resources of this region, and make for themselves and their children a pleasant home in this fruitful and goodly land.

            Mr. Balmer is descended from a hardy Scotch-Irish ancestry, and is himself a native of Ireland, where he was born June 17, 1851. He is a son of James and Dorothy (Burns) Balmer, both natives of the Emerald Isle, and of Scotch descent. Eight children were born to them, of whom four are known to survive, as follows: Robert, of Warren County, Ill.; Nancy, Jane and Joseph. Nancy is the wife of Lindsey Armstrong, of Warren County, Ill.; Jane is the wife of Joseph MacCready, of Washington County, Iowa.

            When our subject was ten years of age he suffered the loss of his father, but he continued to live in the land of his nativity until he was nearly fourteen years old, when his mother, with other members of her family, emigrated to America; they took passage at Liverpool, England, on a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage or five weeks arrived at New York City. From there they went directly to Warren County, Ill., there made their home, and in that State the patient, devoted mother passed to the life beyond a few years ago. Our subject attained his majority in that Illinois home, receiving a substantial education in the common schools. For the first ten years after his arrival in this country, when he started out to make his own living, he worked by the month on a farm, and as he was strong, industrious and intelligent, he received very good wages, averaging $25 a month. For the first two years be was employed by his brother Robert, of Warren County, and the remainder of the time he worked for other agriculturists in the same county.

            In 1875 our subject ambitiously determined to have land of his own, that he might farm for himself, and as he thought that in Sedgwick County, Kan., he could more readily attain prosperity in his chosen calling, he came here and pre-empted the southeastern quarter of section 4, Ninnescah Township, which has ever since been his place of residence. He immediately settled here and commenced to prepare his tract of wild land for tillage, and by downright hard work, vigorous and able management in the succeeding years, he has improved it to such an extent that it is now classed among the most valuable farms in this locality. He has added eighty acres to his original pre-emption claim, and has erected neat and substantial buildings.

            Mr. Balmer is a man of clear judgment, is a shrewd and careful observer of men and events, reads much and keeps well informed on all matters of general interest. He is independent in his views; in political affairs he votes as he thinks best without regard to party, and as a citizen is doing his part in maintaining the present prosperity of his adopted township.

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