John L. Balch, deceased, farmer and author; P. O. Charleston; the subject of this sketch owned 120 acres of land, on Sec. 14; willed to the four sisters who now live on the same; he was born in Logan Co., Ky., Dec. 27, 1800, and died October 3, 1870. He lived with his parents on the farm until married, Nov. 10, 1829, to Melinda N. White; she was born in Sullivan Co., Ind., May 4, 1808, died Jan. 5, 1865. Mr. Balch came to this county in 1830, and settled on the farm where the four sisters now reside, and remained until his death; he was the father of eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Alfred B., Albina, Mary M., William, Martha and Angeline E.; deceased, Alexander H. and James. Mr. Balch was a school-teacher in this township in an early day, and was an author of considerable note; some of his writings were published on the slavery question. He was a Republican.
