John Ballance : Short Biography

John Ballance was born at Ballypitmave, near Glenavy in County Antrim, Ireland.

His date of birth is believed to have been 27 March 1839 and he was baptised on 7 April that year.

His father was Samuel Ballance, a Protestant tenant farmer, and his mother was Mary McNiece, was a Quaker from a prominent local family.

John was the eldest of 11 children and was educated at the local national school and at Wilson's Academy in Belfast. 

Ballance left Wilson's Academy before graduation and went to work for a Belfast hardware firm. In 1857 he left Belfast for Birmingham, where he worked as a travelling salesman. He enrolled in evening classes at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, studying politics, biography and history. 

John married Fanny Taylor in Birmingham on 17 June 1863 in St Peter and St Paul's Church in Aston. In 1866 they emigrated to New Zealand, arriving in Wellington on 11 August.

After briefly selling jewellary, John Balance established the Evening Herald in Wanganui. 

Ballance became increasingly involved in Wanganui affairs. He helped found the Wanganui and Rangitikei Land and Building Society and the local Oddfellows lodge. He was interested in chess and horse racing. 

Fanny Ballance died In March 1868, at the age of 24. On 19 May 1870, John Ballance married Ellen Anderson, the daughter of Wellington merchant David Anderson and his wife, Ann Thompson. 1886 Ellen and John adopted Ellen's four-year-old niece, Florence Anderson, whom they re-christened Kathleen.

In 1875 John won a parliamentary seat in Rangitikei. His campaign included the abolition of the provincial system and he was in favour of state education.

Ballance had a largely successful polictical career, suffering his only electoral defeat in 1879. His positions included commissioner of customs, commissioner of stamp duties, minister of education and colonial treasurer.

In July 1889 Ballance took over the leadership of the opposition. When the sitting premier, H. A. Atkinson, resigned after being defeated in the House in January 1891, Ballance formed the country's first Liberal government and he became the 14th Premier of New Zealand. 

John Ballance died from cancer in Wellington on 27 April 1893. Following a state funeral he was buried at Whanganui on the 30th.  Wellington on 27 April 1893. Ellen Ballance survived her husband by 42 years. She remained active in community organisations in Wanganui, including the Anglican church, the Wanganui Orphanage and the Plunket Society. She died at Wanganui on 14 June 1935.