History of Scott County, Iowa; 1882 Chicago; Interstate Publishing Co.
John
C. Balluff, son of Bernhart and Margaret (Fisher) Ballhuff, was born in
Germany, Feb. 26, 1829, and came to America, May, 1854, his first
landing being in Baltimore, where he worked for a few months as a
stone-cutter. From Baltimore he went to St. Louis, and from there to
Washington, Mo., where he spent his first winter in America. Returning
to St. Louis in the spring of 1855, he took a boat for Davenport, where
he located and worked as a painter and stone-cutter. His first work
here was on the German Catholic church and the buildings of the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad depot. He worked at these
trades here for about 18 years. In 1857 he organized the first band in
the place, and continued to play with it till 1875. He then engaged in
the grocery trade on the North Davenport road, which business he yet
continues. In 1858 he married Matilda Hesse, daughter of Andrew and
Anna B. Hess, who was born April 9, 1841, and who came with her parents
to America in 1854. Ten children were born unto them - August A., Mary
A., John B., Ignatius E., Albert A., Lucy M., Clara A., Frank G.,
Andrew E., Joseph B. Mr. Ballhuff is a Democrat.