John Frederick Ballier

(1815 - 1893)
Home State: Pennsylvania
Command Billet: Commanding Regiment
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 98th Pennsylvania Infantry

Before the Antietam Campaign:
By profession a baker in his native Germany, he emigrated to Philadelphia in 1838, where he established his own bakery. He was active in the local militia from 1839, and served as Lieutenant of his company in the Mexican War (1846 - 48). He rose to the rank of Major in the militia in the years before the Civil War, and volunteered for Federal service with his unit in 1861.

His Regiment, the Washington Light, formed the core of the Twenty-first Pennsylvania, a three month unit. At the expiration of their term of service, Colonel Ballier recruited and organized the Ninety-eighth Regiment for three years' service.

The remainder of the War:
He was twice wounded in command of his regiment: at Fredericksburg in December 1862, and at Ft. Stevens (near Washington) in July 1864.

After the War:
He returned to Philadelphia where he owned and operated the Ballier House (hotel), and was a local politician and militia officer.

References, Sources, and other notes:
Source: Evening Bulletin1

Birth Date: 8/28/1815 Place of Birth: Auirch, Wurtemberg, GERMANY
Death Date: 2/3/1893 Death Place: Philadelphia, PA Burial Place: Mount Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsyvlania

Notes

1 Obituary transcribed online by the 98th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Co A (reenactors).
[staff writer], Obituary: General Ballier, A Gallant Soldier and Useful Citizen, The (Philadelphia) Evening Bulletin, 1893-02-04, pg. 2 [AotW citation 52]

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