Ballif, George S. (George Smith), 1894-1977

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1894 - 1977

Biography

George Smith Ballif (1894-1977) was a World War I Army veteran, an attorney, and a judge in Utah.

George Smith Ballif was born on June 4, 1894, in Logan, Utah to Emma Gurney Smith and John Lyman Ballif, Sr. He was one of six siblings. The Ballif family relocated to Rexburg, Idaho in 1900, where they worked in dry farming and merchandising. George attended Rexburg public schools and Ricks Academy High School. During tourist seasons, George would work at Yellowstone Park. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to France from 1914-1916. Due to the outbreak of World War I, he was transferred to Switzerland and England. Upon his return in 1916, George entered Ricks College. The United States Army soon drafted George in 1917. George traveled with US troops to France where he fought in the Melz and Argonne battles. Interestingly, George was back in Paris for the Armistice signing after being a missionary there for the declaration of war. George returned to the US and attended Brigham Young University in 1919 where he became the student body president and married Algie Eggertsen, who was a teacher from Ricks College when they first met but was then teaching at BYU. They were married on December 24, 1920, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Together, they had four children. George graduated from BYU in 1921 and then attended Harvard Law School but later transferred to the law school at the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated law school in 1924 and started a private law practice in the old Farmers and Merchants Bank building in Provo, Utah. He later became the appointed city judge, a juvenile judge, the city attorney, county attorney, and district attorney. Within his work in law, George was also a member of the National Commission for World Peace Through World Law, which advocates for finding peaceful resolutions without warfare. George died on October 31, 1977, in Provo, Utah.

Citation:

FamilySearch, December 11, 2024 (George Smith Ballif; b. June 4, 1894, in Logan, Utah; d. October 31, 1977, in Provo, Utah; parents Emma Gurney Smith and John Lyman Ballif, Sr.; six siblings; married Algie Eggertsen, a teacher at BYU, on December 24, 1920, in Salt Lake City, Utah; four children; attorney and former judge; 1900 moved to Rexburg, Idaho where he worked with his family in farming and merchandising; attended Rexburg public schools and Ricks Academy High School; worked at Yellowstone Park during tourist season when he was younger; mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to France 1914-1916; mission was interrupted by World War I so he was transferred to Switzerland and England; entered Ricks College in 1916; drafted into the Army in 1917; sent with US troops to France and fought in Melz and Argonne battles; in Paris for the Armistice signing; returned to BYU in 1919; student body president and graduated in 1921; attended Harvard Law School and transferred to the law school at University of California at Berkeley; graduated in 1924 and started a private law practice in the old Farmers and Merchants Bank building in Provo, Utah; appointed city judge in 1924; served as juvenile judge, city attorney, county attorney, and district attorney; member of the National Commission for World Peace Through World Law which advocates for finding peaceful resolutions without warfare)

Found in 20 Collections and/or Records:

Ballif and Eggertsen family papers, 1911-1977

Series

Identifier: MSS 1554 Series 3

Scope and Contents

Contains genealogical materials, certificates, and recordings relating to the Ballif and Eggertsen families. Materials date from between 1911 and 1977.

Dates: 1911-1977

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / George S. and Algie E. Ballif papers

Ballif family papers, approximately 1942-1970

Sub-Series — Box 8: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197232482056]

Identifier: MSS 1554 Series 3 Sub-Series 1

Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, pedigree charts, clippings, and other genealogical materials on the Ballif family. Materials date from approximately 1942 to 1970.

Dates: approximately 1942-1970

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / George S. and Algie E. Ballif papers / Ballif and Eggertsen family papers

George S. and Algie E. Ballif papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 1554

Abstract

Personal and professional papers of Algie and George Ballif including news clippings, awards, certificates, notebooks, correspondence, pamphlets, and miscellaneous items. The bulk of the items are from the years 1960 to 1978. Many items concern George's legal career and Algie's work as a legislator.

Dates: 1911-1984

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

George S. Ballif photographs

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS P 669

Scope and Contents

Contains photographs and corresponding nitrate negatives, from the George S. Ballif papers collection. Subjects include family, friends, and associates of George and Algie Baliff. Dated approximately 1890-1979.

Dates: approximately 1890-1979

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Eggertsen family papers, 1911-1977

Sub-Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 1554 Series 3 Sub-Series 2

Scope and Contents

Contains biography, certificates, and recordings related to the Eggertsen family. Materials date from between 1911 and 1977.

Dates: 1911-1977

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / George S. and Algie E. Ballif papers / Ballif and Eggertsen family papers

George S. Ballif biographical materials, undated

Sub-Series

Identifier: MSS 1554 Series 1 Sub-Series 12

Scope and Contents note From the Collection: The George S. and Algie Ballif collection consists of the personal and professional papers of these well-known Provo community leaders. Considering the length and significance of their respective careers, the collection is quite small, and seems to contain more materials about the Ballifs or materials given to them--clippings, awards, certificates, etc.--than papers created by them. Inclusive dates are 1918-1982 with the bulk of the material falling between 1960-1978.The George...

Dates: Other: undated