BALLINGALL, Col. Peter G.

BALLINGALL, SMITH, HODGE, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 2/23/2019 at 18:15:34

Death of Col. Ballingall

On Tuesday morning the following dispatch was received by the relatives of Col. Ballingall in this city:

Hong Kong, China, March 10 – Ballingall died on the seventh, at sea; buried here. – Simmons, Consul.

The news circulated rapidly through the city and created an intense feeling of sadness, for everyone know him well and respected him for his many excellent qualities. Immediately the friends of the family surrounded the deeply distressed relatives, tendering such consolation as could be offered.

PETER G. BALLINGALL was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 3, 1830, and was therefore sixty-one years old at the time of his death, although when he left Ottumwa in November last he did not look older than fifty years and seemed to be in the best of health. He was the son of P.J. and MARTHA (SMITH) BALLINGALL, both of whom were also natives of Scotland. After the death of the father, the mother contracted a second marriage with JAMES HODGE, who was born in Edinburg, Scotland. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, only three of whom are living; David, a resident of Ottumwa, who was born in Glasgow: MARY J., widow of W. J. PHILLIPS, who also resides in Ottumwa, and MARTHA K., who lives in Colorado. At the age of seven years, the youthful BALLINGALL came with his mother and step-father to America, landing in Quebec, Canada. vicisal----- -- -- entered by boys who have to earn their own living, he at last went to Chicago, where he served in hotels in various occupations until he was appointed receiver of the Lake House, and there first distinguished himself as a hotel man. In 1856 he was manager of the Ivins House at Keokuk; then at Bentonspot, and later at Ageney City, at that time the terminus of the C., B., & Q. railroad. In 1859 he removed to Ottumwa, and has been engaged in the hotel business here from that time until the present. He built the present Balling house which is leased to Mr. MANCHESTER for the term of years, and is the owner of a large amount of other property in the city.

For several years Mr. Ballingall did not mingle in political affairs but during the last twenty years he has served several terms in the city council; in 1873 was nominated for mayor but declined he was elected to the lower house of the Legislator in 1883 and in 1889 was elected State Senator for four years and held that office at the time of his death. In 1876 he was elected Colonel of the 5th regiment of Iowa militia and really was elected Major General in command of all the militia of the State but was counted out by a very peculiar process. He was President of the Hotel Keeper’s Association; president of the Wapello County Agricultural Association and president of the Coal Place Association. To his effort more than to any other one man is due the success of the coal place exhibition held in this city last October. In the spring of 1886 Col. B. made a trip to Europe and in 1887 he made a trip around the world, and visited Australia, the island of Ceylon, the Holy Land, and Egypt. On his return from his travels to Europe a banquet was given in his honor which was participated in by hundreds of his fellow citizens. In 1888 he was a delegate to the National Democratic convention which nominated Mr. CLEVELAND to the presidency. This is a hasty sketch of his life the incidents of which are so well known to his fellow citizens especially in this city. He was a benevolent man, sympathizing the distress whenever he found it and his purse was always open to relieve the want of unfortunates who came in his way. Col. Baillingall was always at the front in public enterprises, contributing his time and means for the general good. His loss is a calamity to the city which owes so much to his public spirit. He had a foreboding that this journey might prove to be his last and so expressed himself to many of his friends. He left this city on the 23rd of last November in the best of health arriving in Australia, where he has spent several weeks. Mrs. PHILLIPS and Mr. DAVID HODGE received a letter from him dated Sidney, January 14, and at that time he was well and in good spirits, saying that he would arrive at Hong Kong about the 6th of March and from there would probably proceed to Japan.

The relatives have telegraphed through the First National Bank of this city to the consul at Hong Kong to embalm the body and send it home at the earliest opportunity. It is to be hoped that their fond wishes may be carried into effect and that the remains of the lamented dead may be brought to the city he loved so well where it may be buried.

It is difficult to realize that the well known form will never be seen again among us. The energy that moved him to constant action has been subdued. His life work is finished! Rest comes at last, and the benediction of those whom he helped to bear the burdens of life, will be offered to the memory of Col. BALLINGALL.

Where is Hong Kong,

Hong Kong, where Col. BALLINGALL is buried, is situated on an Island, off the southeast coast of China and 75 miles from Canton. It was formerly an integral part of the Chinese empire, but since 1841 has been in the possession of Great Britain. It is a city of about 140,000 inhabitants, 6,000 of is in whom are Europeans and Americans. It is in latitude 22 deg. North, and the summer months are from May to October.