Robert Ballantyne

BALLANTYNE, TURNBULL, MINEAR, HYMER

Posted By: Volunteer - Conley Wolterman
Date: 1/13/2002 at 22:35:39

Robert Ballantyne, of Section 20, Willow Township, Crawford County, Iowa, was a resident of the township. He was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, October 12, 1828, the son of John and Jeannette (Turnbull) Ballantyne, both of Scotland. Robert was a lad of 12, when by the preaching of an eminent Mormon evangelist, his parents became converts to his faith and came to the United States, settling in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. Some time later they went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and spent the winter there. That city was then a small trading post. From that point they went as colonists to the wilds of Texas, settling near Fredericksburg, in the western part of the State. Robert had brothers of Andrew and James, who lived in Monona County, Iowa.

Robert was reared on the frontier of Texas, and was Captain of a company during the Civil War, a command of minute men, whose duty was to protect the frontier of Texas against foes or Indians, and in that service he had many thrilling experiences and hairbreadth escapes. At the close of the war, he was employed by the Government as a scout and guide on the southwest frontier and in the vicinity of Fort Verde, Texas, when he again added to his experience and encountered many dangers. Being so familiar with the country, he was of great service to the United States Troops, who were under command of General Hatch, but for a short time under Major Bowman. He left Texas in 1874 and came to Crawford County, Iowa, settled in Union Township for 9 years and then went upon the farm of 80 acres.

In the year 1860, Mr. Ballantyne was married to Marinda Minear, a native of Van Buren County, Iowa, who was taken when but a babe by her parents to Texas, where she was reared and educated. She was a daughter of William and Lydia (Hymer) Minear - the mother from Kentucky and the father had been a native of Virginia. Robert and Marinda had 7 children: John, Robert, Joseph, David, Rachel, Lydia, and Moroni.

A History of Crawford, Ida and Sac Counties, Iowa : Lewis Publishing Co., 1893