Tulare County
Biographies
EDWIN SWAIN BALAAM
Edwin Swain Balaam crossed the plains to this
state with an ox team in 1853, and as an old settler of Tulare County is justly
entitled to honorable mention in the history now under consideration.
Mr. Balaam was born in Arkansas, December 19, 1841, son of George and Sarah
(Swain) Balaam, natives of England. His father was born December 4, 1805; came
to the United States and first settled in Ohio, then in Kentucky, later in
Arkansas and still later in Texas, coming with his family to California in 1853.
He now resides in Cambria, San Luis Obispo County. Of the nine children born to
him and his wife seven are living.
The subject of our sketch was twelve years old when he arrived in California,
and his education was obtained in Tulare County. He was married in 1863 to Miss
Madora M. Glass, a native of Texas, and a daughter of Robert Glass, who came to
California in 1853. Four children have been born to the, all in Tulare County,
namely: Emma, wife of W. G. Davis; Albert S., Walter J. and Charles Frederick.
In 1865 Mr. Balaam located 160 acres of land adjoining the farm on which he now
resides. He improved it and lived on it ten years, after which he sold out and
in 1875 built the Farmersville Hotel, which he conducted four years. He then
removed to Tulare and built the Pacific Hotel, leasing it soon afterward and
coming to his present location. His home place consists of eighty acres of
choice land, which he has improved by planting and building and on which he is
engaged in grain, fruit and stock-farming. Mr. Balaam was in early life a
Democrat, but in later years espoused the cause of temperance and is now a
Prohibitionist. He is one of the worthy and reliable settlers of the county, and
takes pride in its welfare and growth.
SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare and
Kern, California: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892 Page 330
Transcribed by Beverly Green
GEORGE A. BALLOU
George A. Ballou has been a resident of
California since 1850, is one of the representative citizens of Visalia, and as
such is entitled to mention in the history of Tulare County.
Mr. Ballou was born in Rhode Island, September 26, 1831. His ancestors came from
France to this country in the early colonial times. They were a family of
weavers and manufacturers, and in the Revolutionary war fought bravely for
independence. Mr. Ballou's father, Harvey Ballou, was born in Rhode Island, and
was one of the first cotton manufacturers of the East. The Ballou cottons are
known in all the markets of the world. Harvey Ballou married Miss Ruth Gould, a
native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who bore him seven children, of whom three
daughters and the subject of this sketch are the only ones living. George A. is
next to the youngest of the family. He was reared and educated in his native
State, and there learned the trade of plasterer and bricklayer. While quietly
working away at his trade, the California gold fever swept over the country, and
he was among its victims.
Upon his arrival in this State, Mr. Ballou engaged in mining in Mariposa County,
and continued in the mines five years, meeting with average success, and saving
$5,000. In 1860 he came to Visalia, and again turned his attention to work at
his trade. Many of the buildings in this city have been erected by him. He also
manufactured brick. He was prosperous in his business ventures, and has now
retired, preferring to give his whole attention to his ranch interests. During
his residence here he has accumulated considerable property, owning 160 acres of
land on Tule river, and 160 acres on Lewis creek, all devoted to wheat raising.
He has forty acres of land three miles east of Visalia, on which he raises wheat
and hay, but which intends planting to fruit. He has twenty acres in fruit and
vines near the city, and also owns valuable property in Visalia.
Politically, Mr. Ballou is a Republican, broad and liberal in his views.
SOURCE: Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare and
Kern, California : Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892 Page 701
Transcribed by Beverly Green