Essex

BALCH, William Everard

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, Part II, p 14 
(portrait p 14)

William Everard BALCH, of Lunenburg, was born 03 February 1854 in Lunenburg 
[Essex County, Vermont], son of Sherman and Eliza (GLINES) BALCH [William's 
father was George Sherman BALCH, born 16 September 1833 in Lunenburg, son of 
Adin BALCH and Martha GEE. William's mother was Mary Eliza GLINS.] After 
pursuing the usual educational course in the public schools and at St. 
Johnsbury Academy, he entered his father's carriage shop to learn that trade, 
and after a two years' sojourn in the West, in 1876, he returned to his 
native place and again entered the employ of his father. From his early 
boyhood, Mr. BALCH had devoted all of his spare time to the study of natural 
history and the collection of specimens illustrating that science. On his 
return to Vermont he learned taxidermy, and employed his leisure in forming a 
collection of the birds and mammals of the state, with such success that in 
eight years he had gathered specimens of all the representative birds and 
mammals of Vermont. This collection was sent to the World's Fair at New 
Orleans as the state collection, and about this time he was offered the 
position of state taxidermist, which he still holds. The high scientific 
standard of his work is amply attested by the specimens of his skill 
exhibited at the Fairbanks Museum at St. Johnsbury. Mr. BALCH represented 
the town in the Legislature of 1892.

On 27 September 1876 William Everard BALCH wedded Ella, daughter of Jordan 
and Lois A. MARR. They have two children: Florence May and Walter. [The 
family of William's father, George Sherman BALCH, was enumerated in the 1880 
census of Lunenburg: G. S. BALCH, forty-seven, carriage maker, born in 
Vermont, about 1833 from his census age, to parents also born in Vermont; his 
wife, Mary E., forty-five, born in Vermont, about 1835, to parents also born 
in Vermont; and three children, all born in Vermont to parents born in 
Vermont: (1) George, twenty-five, single, carriage maker, born in Vermont, 
about 1855; (2) Karl, 19, single, at home, born about 1861; and (3) Annie, 
attending school, age nine, thus born about 1871. Also in the household are 
two boarders unrelated to George Sherman BALCH. William, not enumerated in 
this family in 1880, was married in 1876 according to the biography. 
Bracketed material included by submitter, who is not researching this family, 
to support and clarify information given in the biography, and to raise 
questions.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly