The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-02-01
PAPER HONORS
LIFE and WORK
OF BALLENCER

The following on DR.. William Bal
lenger is reproduced from The Mes
senger, a church periodical:
DIR. William Lincoln Ballenger, born
April 26, 1861, a son of William and
Lydia Ann (Starbuck) Ballenger. died
December %, 1915. at his birthplace,
Blue Sky Farms, Economy, Ind. The
schools of his native place, both the
common and high, afforded him his
preliminary education. He was also
a student of Earlham college, Rich
mond. Ind. He received his profess
sional education at Bellevue Hospital
Medical college New York, which gave
him the degree OF M. d. In 1886.
DR.. Ballenger commenced the prac-
tice of his profession at Richmond,
Indiana Immediately after his gradua-
ton, and continued it at that point
from 1886 to 1898, and at Evanston,
Illinois, for the succeeding two years.
In 1895 he centered his studies and
his work on the subjects of rhinology,
laryngology and GEOLOGY, to which he
confined himself until his death. DR..
Ballenger began his career as an edu-
Gator when he was appointed instruc-
tor in diseases and surgery of the
ear. nose and throat at the University
Of Illinois School of Medicine in 1905.
He was soon advanced to the full
professorship of rhinology, laryngo-
logy and GEOLOGY, which chair he oc-
cupied from 1903 to 1914, when Ill
health forced him to resign. In 1886
he was appointed instructor In otology
at the Chicago Polytechnic and in the
following year professor OF the same
chair at the Chicago Eye and Ear
college and hospital.
DR.. Ballenger is well known as an
author, as his contributions to the
literature Of his specially are volumi-
nous. He is the author of two text
books, the first appearance In l90O
and the second and larger work on
Diseases and Surgery of the Nose,
Throat and Ear was completed IN
1906. The success of this book Is
attested by the numerous editions
called for.
In 1905 the invention Of the "Ballen-
ger Swivel Knife" for the submucous
removal of deformed cartilage of the
nasal septum producing nasal obstruc-
ton. caused world wide interest among
the medical profession and has since
been recorded as among the most valu-
able modern surgical instruments.
DR.. Ballenger's connection with Or
ganizations identified with his special
ties has also been prominent. He
served as secretary of the American
Academy of Ophthalmology and Otto
Laryngology in 1S99-1902, was it's pres
ident in 1902-1903, and until his death
was counselor Of the body. He was
leading member of the Chicago Med
ical society, of which he was vice
president in 1904 He was also
Fellow of the International Geological
congress; Chicago Laryngological and
Otological; American Laryngological
association; American Laryngolog1cal,
Pathological and biological assoc1a-
ton (vice-president in 1900; Illinois
State Medical society and American
Medical association; and member of
the American College of Surgeons.
On account of failing health, DR..
Ballenger has not been active in his
professional work since 1912, when
his nephew, DR.. Howard Charles Bal
lenger, relieved him Of many of the
active duties.
Dr.. Ballenger was married at Rich
mond, Indiana, July Is, 1886. to Miss
Ada Poarch. They have one child,
Joanna, born October %, 1905. The
family home, "Wildemere," was at
Hubbard Woods, Illinois, until their
removal in May, 1915, to Economy,
Indiana. DR.. Ballenger's birthplace.
DR.. Ballenger was member of the
Winnetka Congregational church until
his recent removal from Illinois.