Samuel A. Balliet (1851-1928)

BALLIET, LOVELL, HOAG, BURDICK

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Evening Journal and The Nevada Representative March 5, 1928 (page 3)

EARLY DAY LAWYER BROUGHT BACK FOR INTERMENT

MASONIC INTERMENT THIS AFTERNOON--PRACTICED LAW HERE

The body of Samuel Balliett, 77, early day lawyer of this city, arrived here Sunday afternoon from Helena, Montana, where he had died Thursday after an extended illness and the funeral services were held this afternoon at 2:30 at the Morfoot Funeral home, after which interment as in the Nevada cemetery, by the side of his wife, who died in July, 1879.

The body was accompanied by the daughter, Mrs. Libbie Balliett-Hoag of Seattle and her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Edward Hoag of Spokane.

Mr. Balliett had been a resident of Helena since 1884, during which time he had practiced law and of later years served as referee in bankruptcy.

Mr. Balliett has been an invalid for two years and death took place in the St. Peter's hospital, that city.

A service was held at the Kohlar Mortuary in charge of King Solomon's Masonic lodge of Helena and interment this afternoon will be under the ritualistic rites of the Masonic order.

Besides his daughter Mrs. Hoag, and the two grandchildren, Mary Pauline Hoag of Pechasten, Washington and Edward Hoag of Spokane, he leaves three brothers and one sister.

The surviving brothers are Monroe Balliett of Des Moines, George Balliett of McGregor and Joseph Balliett of Belvidere, Ill. the latter being here for the funeral. The sister Mrs. F. D. Burdick of Ames is also among those here for the funeral.

Mrs. Stephen Balliett of Des Moines is also here.

Two brothers, Stephen Balliett of Des Moines and Charles Balliett of Omaha are dead.

At the time of death and for a number of years past Mr. Balliett was referee in bankruptcy and has been prominent in political affairs. He was also well known in Masonic circles. He was a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, past master of King Solomon's lodge A. F. and A. M. and belonged also to the Acacia Brotherhood. He was past grand chancellor of the Montana grand lodge Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Balliett was born on a farm in DeKalb county, Ill., January 16, 1851. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, his father of French descent. Mr. Balliet worked on the farm in his youth and was educated in the schools of Sycamore county. The family afterward moved to Story county, Iowa and in 1872, he taught school at Nevada, Iowa.

He was educated in law at the Union college of Law in Chicago and was admitted to practice at the Iowa bar. In 1877 he married Libbie C. Lovell, a pioneer family of near Nevada, who died in 1879, leaving an infant daughter, Mrs. Libby Hoag, now of Seattle, Wash., who survive him.

From Nevada, Mr. Balliett moved to Omaha in 1880 and later went to Haley, Idaho. He arrived in Helena in 1884 and four years later was elected prosecuting attorney of Lewis and Clark county, the last to serve in that office under the territorial form of government.

A Helena paper in reviewing his life says: "Mr. Balliett took an active part in the county and civic affairs of Helena. He was known 20 or 25 years ago as the state champion trapshooter and until his health failed two years ago, he was an ardent angler and hunter.

"During his residence in Helena, Mr. Balliett became interested in a number of mining properties. A deposit of marble in this sate was owned by him up to the time of his death. It is said to be valuable.

"Always of a generous nature, he gave without charge much legal advice to prospectors and others engaged in mining, and was considered an authority on mining laws."