Brothers-in-law in Allentown, Pennsylvania since the mid-1850s, Allen G. Balliet and Francis Sanders also became brothers-in-arms during the 1860s when they enlisted in the same company of the same Union Army regiment during the American Civil War.

One man made it home safely; the other didn’t.

To learn more about their respective lives before and during the American Civil War, read part one of this biography.

 

What Happened to Allen Balliet’s Family?

Following her marriage to Calvin T. Steckel, Allen Balliet’s daughter from his first marriage, Clara E. (Balliet) Steckel, and her husband welcomed the births of: Frances A. J. Steckel (1872-1888) and Clara Lawis Steckel (1873-1969). After relocating to Brooklyn, New York with her husband, where he operated a mercantile business, she was subsequently widowed by him.

Choosing to remain in Brooklyn, following her husband’s death, she died there on 25 November 1886.

Her remains were subsequently returned to Pennsylvania for interment at Allentown’s Union-West End Cemetery.

Although Allen Balliet’s first wife preceded him in death (in 1862), his second wife, Mary A. (Schadt Balliet) Balliet, survived him by more than a decade.

She died in Allentown, Pennsylvania on 27 March 1897, and was also interred at the Union-West End Cemetery.

What Happened to the Wife and Children of Francis Sanders?

Francis Sanders’ second son, Frank E. Sanders (1860-1899), who was a native of Allentown, grew up to become a cigarmaker and salesman who operated a shoe store on Linden Street in Allentown.

Following his marriage to Allentown native Sally A. Worman (1866-1927), a daughter of William and Polly Worman, he welcomed the births of four children: Frank W., Mabel (1886-1963), Frances (1890-1976), and Esther (1892-1969).

Ailing for many months, he died in Allentown on 19 November 1899. His obituary noted that “His father was killed in battle during the civil war.”

Following funeral services, Frank E. Sanders was also interred at the Union-West End Cemetery.

Henrietta (Balliet) Sanders, the sister of Allen G. Balliet and wife of Francis Sanders, went on to have a long, full life after her husband died in battle. Choosing never to remarry, she lived the hectic life of a single mother with two young boys. After seeing them both successfully reach adulthood and witnessing the turn of the century and all of the dramatic changes that came with it, she continued to be actively engaged with family and friends for much of the time that remained to her.

She died at home in Allentown on 14 May 1916. According to her obituary, which was published in the 15 May edition of Allentown’s Morning Call newspaper:

Mrs. Henrietta S. Sanders, widow of Francis Sanders, nee Balliett, one of the oldest ladies in Allentown, died at her home at No. 104 North Sixth street, last evening at 9 o’clock, from the weight of her years. She had no specific ailment and her health had been so robust that she was able to enjoy life almost to the very end. Her faculties were unimpaired and she was able to see and understand what transpired around her. She was downstairs for the last time on Easter, since which time she was confined to her room and for the past two weeks to her bed.

Mrs. Sanders died next door to the house in which she was born, one of the ten children of the long deceased Bartholomew and Anna Balliet, and she was the last of her generation. She was of Huguenot descent, he family figuring in the early history of Lehigh county and being prominent in affairs to recent date. Her father was a leading builder in his day and he erected the house where she died and which was her home from her fourth year. It was one of the earliest brick houses in the city. Her husband was also a carpenter and he worked for her father until the Civil War broke out when he enlisted in the Forty-seventh regiment and saw service for two enlistments until the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, La., where he was wounded and carried to the rear by his brother. From that day to this not a word was heard from him and the supposition was that he died from his wounds and his body found an unknown grave, But his widow remained true to his memory and never remarried.

Mrs. Sanders was born March 24, 1826, so that she had just passed he ninetieth year. She was the mother of six children, four dying in infancy and a son, Frank E., later in life. Her only surviving son is David B. Sanders, paying teller at the Allentown National Bank. There are also seven grandchildren….

She was laid to rest at the Union-West End Cemetery.

Francis Sanders’ first-born son, David Balliet Sanders (1856-1922) went on to wed Emma Jane Rau (1860-1892). Married circa 1878, they welcomed the births of four children: George Rau Sanders (1879-1925), Charles Henry Sanders (1880-1959), Lucy May Sanders (1886-1890), and Edgar Eugene Sanders (1891-1965). Preceded in death by his wife in 1892, he was employed as a teller at the Allentown National Bank. Sometime around 1893, he remarried, taking as his second bride, Catasauqua native Elizabeth W. Gilbert (1870-1900), who was a daughter of Captain Edwin Gilbert, the former commanding officer of the 47th Pennsylvania Volunteers’ F Company. He was then widowed by his second wife. In poor health after falling while descending a flight of stairs in September of 1899 or 1900, she died in Allentown on 29 December 1900. He then married for a third and final time—on 9 November 1911—to Pauline Julia Huber (1862-1917), a daughter of German immigrants, Marzell Huber and Christianna (Augenstien) Huber. She subsequently widowed him on 28 June 1917.

David B. Sanders survived and continued on. He died in Allentown on 21 January 1922, and was also buried at the Union-West End Cemetery.

 

Sources:

1. Balliet, Allen G., in Civil War Veterans’ Card File, 1861-1866. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State Archives.
2. Balliet, Henrietta Susannah, in Death Certificates (file no.: 49913, registered no.: 496; date of death: 14 May 1916). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
3. “Henrietta Sanders Dies in Her 90th Year” (obituary of Francis Sanders’ widow). Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, 15 May 1916.
4. “Obituary.” Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, 11 February 1884.
5. Sanders, David B., in Death Certificates (son of Francis Sanders and Henrietta Balliet Sanders; file no.: 3574, registered no.:69; date of death 21 January 1922). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.
6. Sanders, Francis and Henrietta, in U.S. Civil War Widow’s Pension Files (application no.: 61040, certificate no.: 33762; filed by the widow on 15 August 1864). Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
7. “Xander, Francis [sic, surname was spelled: Sanders]” (Company B, 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and “Xander, Francis’ (Company I, 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State Archives.
8. “Xander,” Francis and Henrietta, in U.S. Civil War Pension File Index (Company B, 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; widow’s pension application no.: 61040, certificate no.: 33762; filed by the widow on 15 August 1864). Washington, D.C.: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.