Daniel M. Ballinger was born in Blue River township, Hancock county, November 26, 1858. He is a son of Templeton T. and Mary C. (Beckner) Ballinger; his father a native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky. D. M. Ballinger began to make his own way in the world when he was twelve years of age. He worked on the farm and at any kind of work he could find to do from the time he was a boy. In later years he engaged in farming for himself, renting land for that purpose. By industry and economy he saved enough to buy a small farm and from the proceeds of this he bought more land until he had a farm of ninety-three acres, which he at present owns. This farm is located in Green township. He has recently built a new house and made an enlargement to his barn, and is making other improvements from time to time on his farm and farm appointments and facilities. He is engaged in general farming and uses modern farming methods.

While making his own way from his early years, Mr. Ballinger did not neglect the opportunities afforded in the schools of his neighborhood to obtain an education. He attended the public schools in Green township a sufficient time to acquire a good elementary education, and has supplemented that by reading and practical application in later years. He was married January 12, 1883, to Amanda E. Jonas, daughter of Jesse and Eliza Jonas. Their children are: Chelsie R., Cora Pearl, Elva May and Jessie Vern. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr.Ballinger is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Eden. He was for six years a member of the township advisory board. He was appointed, October 7, 1914, to fill a vacancy on the board of county commissioners, and at the general election in that year, was elected for the short term as a member of the board.

The father of D. M. Ballinger was educated in Virginia and came to Indiana when a young man. He located in Hancock county, where he later was married. He worked as a day laborer on the farm in Hancock county, and later removed to Shelby county, where he and his wife both died very suddenly. She dropped dead while about her work in the house. He was working at the carpenter trade and died suddenly while engaged in this work. Daniel M. is the only living child of this family. A daughter, Eva may, died in Effingham, Illinois; a son, Henry Sampson, died in infancy, the result of an accident from falling down stairs. The family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church

The paternal grandparents of D. M. Ballinger were Virginians; they were born, lived and died in that state. The maternal grandparents were Kentuckians and spent their entire life in Kentucky.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1010-1011.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 25, 2001.

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