James George LeBallister

James George LeBallister was born on Monday, 16 March 1863 at Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada, as this was the age stated on the 1871 census. Other documents state his year of birth as 1866 which does not correspond to the birth date of his sister Rosa, unless they were twins. His death certificate states his year of birth as 1860. He appeared in the household of Jean George Larbalestier on the census of 25 April 1871 at St. Patrick's Ward, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. He is listed as: Labalister, James, male age 8, born Ontario, Church of England religion, France origin. James and Marian Weir, daughter of Henry Weir and Esther (?) Weir, were married by Reverend A. J. Broughall on Tuesday, 23 May 1882 at the St. Stephen-in the-Fields Anglican Church, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada. They were listed as single, both signed the church register. It is possible he has lied about his age due to the fact she was older. His occupation was painter and both religions were Church of England. His surname was recorded as Leballistier in the church register, and LaBallistier on the provincial register. Marian Wyatt and Mary Emily Broughall witnessed the marriage. An image of the church can be found here. He immigrated between 1885 and 1886 to Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. He was a Painter until 1913, in Butte, Yuba and Sutter Counties, USA, then he turned his hand to farming alfalfa, wheat and orchards. He appeared as head of the household on the census of June 1900 at Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. He is recorded as: Labalister, James G, head white, male, born March 1861, age 39, married 19 years, born Canada, father born England, mother born England, farmer, can read write and speak English, owns home, mortgaged. Marian LeBallister and William H. Robinson also appeared in the household. He appeared as head of the household on the census of 26 April 1910 at Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. He is listed as: LeBallister, James G, head, male, white, age 47, married 26 years, born Canada, Father born England, Mother born England, immigrated 1886, able to speak English, farmer, home farm, employee, able to read and write, home owned and mortgaged, farm house. Marian LeBallister and William H. Robinson also appeared in the household. In 1918 he was biographed in George Mansfield's "History of Butte County California" and images of the book pages can be found here. He appeared as head of the household on the census of 5 January 1920 at Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. He is recorded as: LeBallister, James, Uncle, male, white, age 60, married, immigrated 1884, naturalized citizen in 1886, able to read and write, born Canada, parents both born England, mother tongue English, able to speak English, laborer, farm wage worker. Marian LeBallister and William H. Robinson also appeared in the household. He started construction of "several" new houses sometime during November 1926 at the east end of Sycamore Street, Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. It is unknown whether or not the houses were completed. He appeared as head of the household on the census of 2 April 1930 at Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. He is recorded as: LeBallister, James G, Head, owns own house, has a radio set, lives on a farm, white, age 64, married, able to read and write, born Canada, both parents born England, able to speak English, house painter, was at work. Mary Ann's nephew Wm. Robinson is listed just above. He appeared as head of the household on the census of 8 April 1930 at Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. He is listed as: Leballister, James, head, owns house valued at $10,000, has a radio set, does not live on a farm, male, white, age 65, married, first married at 16, able to read and write, born Canada, both parents born England, immigrated 1885, able to speak English, house painter, was at work. Marian LeBallister also appeared in the household. On May 20, 1931, they celebrated a golden wedding anniversay, athough it was actually their 49'th. An image of the newspaper article can be viewed here. James and Clair Anita Thompson, daughter of (?) Archambualt and (?) Flannely, were married on Tuesday, 23 June 1936 at Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada, USA. Lewis and Ella Elliott were visitors of James LeBallister during the Christmas Season, December 1936, and it was reported in the Gridley Herald. An image of the newspaper article can be found here. He and Clair Anita Thompson were divorced on 5 January 1937. James and Esther M. Mapous were married on Thursday, 20 January 1938. James died on Thursday, 9 June 1938 at Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA, at age 75 years, 2 months and 24 days due to Carcinoma of the Prostrate. Dr. Willard Holt was the attending physician. He was buried on Saturday, 11 June 1938 at Section 3, Block 2, Lot 514, Space 7, Gridley-Biggs Cemetery, Gridley, Butte Co., California, USA. He wrote a will on Oct. 15, 1935 leaving his estate to his wife's nephew William H. Robinson. On March 13, 1938, he wrote another will, leaving his estate to his current wife Esther . His second wife Anita wanted his estate as well, and his niece Ella Elliott thought she should be included. To view the newspaper articles on the court proceedings, please go to this page.