REV. G. WALTER BALLENGER
Rev, G. Walter Ballenger, Baptist clergyman, Tremont, was born in Green County, Wis., April 1, 1860, being the son of Asa A. and Rebecca (Steckle) Ballenger. The father was born in Ohio, in 1829, and died April 2, 1865; the mother, in Northumberland County, Penn., April 11, 1838. The mother’s parents, Daniel, Jr., and Mary (Shafer) Steckle, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and her grandparents, Daniel and Mary (Lichtenwalter) Steckle, came from Germany.
Asa Ballenger, paternal grandfather of Rev. G. Walter Ballenger, migrated from Kentucky. He was an old-fashioned Methodist circuit- rider, going from congregation to congregation on horseback, and was a prominent figure in the history of his church in the wilderness. Asa A. Ballenger, father of Rev. G. Walter, served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and was a member of Company I, Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was killed before Petersburg, on April 2, 1865. Daniel Steckle, Jr., was also a union soldier, serving in one of the regiments mustered under one of the 100-day calls.
Rev. G. Walter Ballenger was educated at the University of Wisconsin and the Northwestern College at Naperville, Ill., and began preaching at the age of twenty one years. He has held five pastorates, including his present charge at Clinton. Ill. For the last six years he preached at Tremont, where he has still a beautiful home. He was the prime mover in building a splendid church at Clinton, where he is now pastor.
The first Mrs. Ballenger was Mary Becker, who was born in Stephenson County, Ill., in 1871, a daughter of Adam and Mary (Wihe) Becker. Her father was born in Germany, and came to this country when about eleven years of age. He settled in Stephenson County, where he died; the mother is still living on the old home. To this union was born one child, Harold A. Mr. Ballenger was married the second time, January 11, 1899, to Miss Anna Robison. They were married in Tremont. She was born October 10, 1855, in Elm Grove Township, daughter of Frank and Mary (Myers) Robison. Her father was born in Scotland on November 18, 1825, and was brought to this country by his parents, James and Isabel (Leslie) Robison. They were at first settled in Pennsylvania, and from there removed to Detroit, and to Illinois in 1837, making their home at Pekin, and later bought a farm in Elm Grove Township, where they engaged in farming.
Frank Robison was married March 6, 1849, and became a large land owner, holding title at one time to 1.800 acres of land. He died February 13. 1885: his widow lived until November 21, 1895. Her grandfather. James Robison, was born in Scotland, May 15. 1801, as were his parents, James and Jean (Hunter) Robison.
Mr. Ballenger is a strong advocate of prohibition, and makes it his principal issue in politics.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 974