ANNA M. BALLENGER
MAY 3, 1864
NOV. 20, 1924
AGE 60 Y. 6 M. 17 D.
DEAR MOTHER
Anna Ballenger was my great-great-grandmother. Her maiden name was Payne. I’m not sure what her middle initial “M” stands for. She married James Madison Ballenger on January 19, 1881, in Delaware County, Ohio, when she was 17 years old. They had four children: Charles, Clarence, and twins Cyril and Cecil. Her tombstone in Otterbein Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio, was clearly placed by her children, all of whom were living at the time. I still have a lot to learn about Anna’s life. Her son and my great-grandfather, Charles C. Ballenger, put “Don’t know” in response to questions about her parents on her death certificate, so it’s not surprising that no family stories or photos have been passed down through our branch of the family.
James’ tombstone mirrors hers, reading “DEAR FATHER.” He died suddenly in 1913 at the age of 58, leaving Anna a widow for the next 11 years. For his obituary, along with a picture of his marker, see my previous post: James Ballenger Suddenly Stricken
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