George Balch - Sheriff of Chase County

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George Balch (September 6, 1833-Unknown) was born in Niagara County, New York to unknown parents.

Text from William G. Cutler's -History of the State of Kansas

"GEORGE BALCH, Sheriff of Chase County, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., September 6, 1833. When he was nine years old his parents removed to Ogle County, Ill., where he remained until 1856. He was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education. He came to Kansas in 1856, with a colony of 250 men from Illinois, and remained about a year at Lawrence. He was afterwards in different parts of the State and in 1859 located in Chase county, pre-empting 160 acres situated on Middle Creek, in Diamond Creek Township. This farm he at once commenced to improve, and cultivated it until March, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company A, Fifth Regiment, Kansas Cavalry. He participated in all the battles and skirmishes in which his company was engaged. He was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., in March, 1865. He then returned to his farm and continued to operate it until his election to the office of Sheriff; since then he has resided in Cottonwood Falls and rented his farm. He has since purchased forty acres adjoining, and has made valuable improvements upon his farm, including a substantial stone dwelling, barn, corn cribs, etc. Mr. Balch is a member of the order of I. O. O. F. and a member of J. W. Geary Post, No. 15, G. A. R. He was elected Sheriff of Chase County in the fall of 1881. He has held several local offices in his township. He married Miss Jennie M. Houston, of Chase County, January 1, 1866, by which marriage he has had six children, of whom Albert C., Charles G., William O., Edwin E. and Jessie G. are now living (Cutler, 1883)."


Primary Sources/Links:

William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas

The Pacific Reporter - State vs. Balch

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