5. Rella W. Balch (1826 - 1886) Born 09/14/1859 Sheboygan Falls WI Died 12/23/1912 Neillsville WI Buried City of Neillsville Cemetery 1890 Section

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) Obituary #1 Balch, Rella W. (14 Sep 1859 - 23 Dec 1912) No death of recent years has brought a greater shock nor more general sorrow to this community than that of Rella Balch, which came suddenly Monday afternoon, Dec. 23, 1912. He had suffered for some time past from a severe attack of rheumatism, but had gained gradually, and was again able to be out and attended to his duties as deputy Clerk of the Court last week in the court room. He was taken ill Saturday, pneumonia developing, but even Monday morning his condition did not appear dangerous, but a sudden turn for the worse came and he sank rapidly, dying early in the afternoon. Rella W. Balch was born at Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Sept. 14, 1859. In addition to a common school education he attended the state university for a short time, and in early life taught school. He came to Neillsville, Clark County in Dec. 1880 with his father, the late F.A. Balch, and together they established themselves in the mercantile business. Later the father retired and R.W. Balch formed a partnership with B. Tragsdorf, which continued about fourteen years. In 1886 Mr. Balch was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and served till Jan. 1, 1889. He was a faithful and competent officer and later was called upon to assist, being Deputy at the time of his death. In 1899 Balch and Tragsdorf built the big store, but owing to ill health he sold out his interest. In 1904 he again went into mercantile business with H.H. Heath and continued two years, and on Mr. Heath’s retiring he continued alone for a year. At intervals his health was very bad, and he spent two winters in Colorado and one in Phoenix, Ariz. Whenever his strength permitted, he again entered into the activities of life, doing efficiently whatever he undertook. For many years he was a member of the school board, first as treasurer and later director. He was a man of such clear intelligence, independent thought, and absolute honesty, that his opinion carried a vast weight in the community and for miles around. He was a charter member of the M.W.A. and an active member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter Masonic orders. Mr. Balch was married at Hingham, Wis., Nov. 22, 1881 to Nettie B. Whipple, who with their two sons Leland and Harold are left to mourn his death. He leaves also one brother, F.O. Balch, of Milwaukee, and a sister, Mrs. J.W. Sontag, of St. Paul. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the home, the freemasons having charge of the funeral. The Modern Woodmen will also attend as a body.

Obituary # 2 Died - Rella William Balch, Dec. 23, 1912. Born in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., to Frederick and Henrietta Balch, on Sept. 14, 1859. He grew to young manhood there, receiving a common school education and also attending the state university for a short time. In Dec. 1880 he and his father came to Neillsville and engaged in the mercantile business in the store building now occupied by Jos. Herrian. They later removed their business to the south side and occupied what is now the Tourigny warehouse, and still later occupying the building now occupied by the Tourigny hardware store. In 1890 Mr. Balch, Sr. retired from the business and R.W. Balch formed a co-partnership with B. Tragsdorf, which continued for about 14 years. During their partnership the mercantile business was moved into the Lloyd building and then to the present home of the Big store. Owing to ill health Mr. Balch retired from the Big store, but in 1904 he again entered the mercantile business with H.H. Heath. In two years Mr. Heath retired from the business and Mr. Balch conducted it for about a year under the of the R.W. Balch Mercantile Co. About 1888 Mr. Balch also served one term as clerk of the circuit court of Clark county. On Nov. 22, 1881, Mr. Balch was united in marriage to Nettie Whipple at Hingham, Wis., and deceased is survived by his wife and two sons, Leland and Harold. One brother F.O. Balch of Milwaukee and one sister, Mrs. J.W. Sontag of St. Paul, also survive him. Rella Balch was a man who occupied an unusual position in that he might be truthfully said to have been without an enemy. He was strong minded and self-reliant, but seemed to have an inborn faculty for making and retaining friends. He took a great deal of interest in all public questions, for he thought for himself and acted as he thought for the best. In this community Rella was esteemed as a man of concise thought, good business ability and unusual integrity. For many years he has served as a member of the school board, was one of the charter members of the local M.W.A., was a Blue lodge and a Chapter Mason and at the time of his death filled the position of master of the Blue lodge. The funeral of Mr. Balch was conducted at the home last Thursday afternoon according to Masonic rituals. Rev. Risser read a scripture lesson and gave a very eloquent prayer. The Woodmen also attended the funeral in a body.