John F. Ballier

John Frederick Ballier (August 28, 1815 – February 3, 1893) was a German-American baker, military officer, and politician.

Early life Ballier was born on August 28, 1815, in Aurich in the Kingdom of Württemberg, then part of the German Confederation, he was the only boy in his family and the youngest of seven siblings. :72 Ballier's father, Matthäus Ballier, and grandfather held the office of village mayor (Schultheiß) in Aurich. The 1st Pennsylvania Volunteers fought in the Siege of Veracruz, the Battle of Cerro Gordo, and the Siege of Puebla, among others.

American Civil War

At the outbreak of the American Civil War Ballier volunteered for service in the Union Army with the rank of Colonel and was given command of the 21st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment nicknamed the "Philadelphia Light Guard". :193 Following his 3-month enlistment with the 21st Pennsylvania, Ballier was authorized by the United States War Department to raise a new regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers. :463 This new regiment would be the 98th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment which Ballier would command for the majority of the war. Ballier was a founding member of Philadelphia's Cannstatter Volksfest in 1873, named after the Stuttgart festival of the same name. :79 Ballier was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a founding member of GAR Post #228 "John Koltes" named after John A. Koltes who was a personal friend of Ballier and was killed at the Second Battle of Bull Run.