BIO: Joseph R. Balsley, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LIX. UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP. 562 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JOSEPH R. BALSLEY, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, a native of this county, is a son of George Balsley, who was born in Harrisburg, Penn., in 1806, and came to this county in 1812. The father of George Balsley died when the children were quite young, so he was early forced to earn his own living. As he grew older he worked on a farm for two brothers named Long, taking his wages out in flour, which he carried to his mother, who kept a little bakery in Harrisburg, thus enabling her to maintain herself and children. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Atick. From this period in his life George Balsley gradually accumulated and stored his earnings until his first purchase of land, about 1843. He learned the trade of coach and wagon-making with George Drawbaugh, in Frankford Township, this county, and after his apprenticeship was ended established a manufactory of his own at Milltown, Lower Allen Township, later, he purchased land on Cedar Springs Run, near Milltown, erecting a large manufactory, and had an extensive trade. George Balsley married Miss Margaret Ressler, and reared a family of three children: Catharine, Marian and Joseph (Elizabeth died in infancy). Catharine became the wife of John Hickernell, of this county; Marian is the wife of William Westhafer; Joseph enlisted in Company D, Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, June 23, 1863, and, although not participating in any of the great battles, was in a division that guarded outposts, acted as scouts, and did other duties equally arduous, as will be seen by the records of the Virginia campaign. After his term had expired, Mr. Balsley returned to Cumberland County. In 1866 he was married to Miss Mary M., daughter of John and Anna (Stambaugh) Gleim. Her parents, for sixty years prior to her marriage, have been residents of this county, and reared a large family of children, nine of whom still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Balsley have resided on the farm which has been under his management for seventeen years. He is a large shipper of stock, and has done extremely well, being a careful buyer of cattle, sheep and hogs. Of the children of Joseph R. Balsley and wife, Annie, the eldest daughter, was born at the Balsley homestead, now the Hartzler property, August 22, 1867; was married December 19, 1884, to W. Harlacher, a York County gentleman, well known as a commercial salesman: Maggie was born in 1868, and died in 1871; Lillie was born in 1871; Ella was born in 1873, and Edna was born in 1880. Mr. Balsley is a self-made man, generous, public spirited, and foremost in all that advances the business and social prosperity of the public.