STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 105
The life of Mr. Balsley has been filled with more than its share of important events, some of which were not so very pleasant, and a portion of his experience has been such as to leave fixed upon his memory a picture, the shadings of which it will take years to dim or erase. J.W. Balsley was born in Limetown, Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1847. In December, 1854, he came to Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, with his parents, where he attended school until he was fourteen years of age.
In 1861, when the nation was threatened, and was rent by internal strife - in the hour when the souls of loyal men were tried - though but fourteen years of age, he tendered his services to his country and enlisted as drummer boy in Company F, 61st Veteran Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Capt. W. L. Stewart, an old resident of Scott county, and faithfully served throughout the term of his enlistment. In 1863, when he was sixteen years of age, he again enlisted for three years, or until the close of the war (by order of the war department). He was engaged in all the battles in which his regiment participated, the battle of Shiloh being the hottest. In front of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he was taken prisoner by the confederate forces, under General Forrest, on December 15, 1864, and was confined in Andersonville prison until April 28, 1865. He was discharged from the United States service, May 30, 1865, while in his seventeenth year. After his discharge he returned to Winchester and again took up the duties of a civilian.
September 25, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Haigh. To them have been given four children, namely, Edmond L. Balsley, Mrs. Bertha M. Stofft, a resident of Moline, Illinois; Fred H. Balsley, who died in infancy, and Will W. Balsley.
January 17, 1882, Mr. Balsley was appointed to the railway postal service and assigned to duty in the Pittsburg and St. Louis division. Two years later, February, 1884, he was transferred to the St. Louis and Rock Island division of the C., B. & O., which position he has continuously held through two democratic administrations.
These are the events which have been crowded into the life of J.W. Balsley, yet through them all he has come with a smiling countenance and is glad that he has been spared to enjoy life in the Scott county of today. As he has reached each advancing milestone in life's journey he has derived comfort and solace from his family; won praise from his friends, and received substantial reward from his employment. J.W. Balsley is a man among men; has been tried under the most adverse circumstances, and has remained true to his country, his family and his friends.