orn in Morrow, Ohio in 1884, Charles Balhiser began his career as a railroad man in 1901, as a telegrapher. He also worked as an agent and dispatcher on the Pennsylvania line.

In 1905, he moved west to work as a dispatcher for the Northern Pacific line in Idaho. The same year, he met Esther Janette Slatter, and they were married in Spokane, Washington, on November 6, 1907. Soon thereafter, he took the job of fireman for the Northern Pacific line, then in 1912, he became an engineer. From 1913 to 1915, he was manager of Western Union in Lewiston, Idaho. Their first child, Margery, was born in Spokane in 1915.

At that time, after nine mastoid operations, Charles was told that he had only about six months left to live, and was advised to do whatever he wished to do. He wanted to go to Alaska. He and Esther decided that Charles would proceed to Anchorage, and Esther and the baby would follow as soon as the young daughter was old enough to travel.

Charles went to Anchorage in 1915, and immediately set about building a home for the family. Mother and daughter embarked on the steamer Mariposa when Margery was three months old. When they approached Bella Bella in British Columbia, the ship hit a rock, and all passengers had to abandon ship. They were transferred to another ship and finally arrived at Ship Creek.

Charles spent his first year in Anchorage working to supply water for the community and was eventually hired on as a locomotive engineer for the Alaska Railroad. A second child, Charles Kenneth, was born in 1921 at the Railroad Hospital in Anchorage. Their home was Cottage #20 on 3rd Avenue, part of the housing built by the Alaskan Engineering Commission for its employees. After spending nearly 20 years as a locomotive engineer, on January 4, l934, Charles died suddenly. At the time of his passing, he was second on the Alaska Railroad’s seniority list.

Esther’s life in Anchorage centered around her home and family, yet she found time to devote to public service, serving on the School Board for eight years. After Charles’ death she was employed as housekeeper at the Curry Hotel from 1936 to 1951, when she retired. She passed away in July 1972. Both she and Charles are buried in the Masonic Tract, Anchorage Memorial Park.

Daughter Margery was married to Bruce Cannon in Anchorage in 1935. They had three children, Bruce Everett Cannon, Jr., Anne Cannon Hawthorne and Mike Cannon. Margery died in 2004. Son Charles “Kenneth” and Gussie Marie Good were married in 1946 and had two children, Patsy Balhiser Ellis, and Susie Balhiser Marrs.