Victor Balluff, a veteran of the late war and a
leading farmer if Cass Township, was born in
Wurtemberg, Germany, September 11, 1842. His father,
F. Conrad Balluff, was a mechanic by trade, and in
1848 emigrated to America, settling in Erie County,
N.Y., where he bought a small tract of land. In 1856
he removed west to Iowa and located upon the farm now
owned by our subject. Here his death occurred at the
advanced age of ninety-two years in December, 1893.
His wife died in New York State in 1853.
There were nine children in the parental family, all
of whom attained years of maturity, and four are now
living. Margaret is the wife of John Putz, a farmer
and cooper of Elkport, Clayton County. John P., who
died in Clayton County in February, 1881, was a
soldier in the Union army, being a member of Company
H, Sixteenth Iowa Infantry. He participated in a
number of the leading engagements of the Rebellion
and accompanied Sherman on the march to the sea. At
Iuka he was taken prisoner and for fifty-nine days
was confined in Andersonville. At the expiration of
four years' service in the army he was honorably
discharged. Theresa, who died in 1879, was the wife
of W. Hammer, a farmer of Delaware Couty. Hannah died
unmarried in 1886. Timothy passed away in 1868.
Josephine married Sebastian Putz and lives in Warren
County, Iowa. Joseph passed from earth in 1890. Mary
Amelia, the wife of Jacob Miller, lives near York in
Delaware County.
When the family emigrated to the United States our
subject was a child of six years. The eight
succeeding years were passed in New York, and thence
he came to Iowa in 1856. In the schools of Strawberry
Point he was for some time a student, and by his
fellow-students was given the nickname of
"Professor" on account of the fact that one
day when his teacher was giving instruction in German
he reached a point beyond which he could not go, and
young Balluff made the necessary explanation for the
teacher and other pupils. In his studies he was keen
and quick, and the information gained in the common
schools has been supplemented by self-culture and
close observation.
When the war broke out, Mr. Balluff was cultivating
the home farm. With the enthusiasm of youth he was
desirous of enlisting at once in his country's
service, but his father forbade him. However, in 1864
his name was enrolled as a member of Company H,
Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and in that regiment he
served until the close of the war. He accompanied
General Sherman on the march to the sea and
participated in the Grand Review at Washington. He
was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and honorably
discharged at Davenport, Iowa.
In August, 1866, Mr. Balluff married Miss Mary
Mullen, a native of Hancock County, Ill., and they
have ten daughters and one son. Alma, formerly a
school teacher, is now the wife of Fred Everet, a
farmer of Delaware County. Amelia married M.J.
Everet, also a farmer in Delaware County. Francis was
educated in the business Department of Upper Iowa
University, and now aids his father in the management
of the farm. Josephine is a teacher in the public
schools. Gertrude, Nettie, Jane, Estella, Eva,
Georgia and Susan are with their parents.
After tilling the soil in Clayton and Fayette
Counties, Mr. Balluff in the year 1882 bought the old
homestead, and here he has since resided. As an
agriculturist he is energetic and efficient, and his
place bears evidence of the thrift of the proprietor.
The farm buildings are commodious and substantial,
well adapted to their varied uses. He has given his
entire attention to his farm, never aspiring to
public office. However, he is a stanch Democrat and
always supports the enterprises and measures of his
party. Socially he is identifed with the Grand Army
of the Republic.
