Dockery B. “Dock” Ballinger was born in Decatur County on August 9, 1881, the son of Perry Ballinger (08-10-1853—12-22-1917) and Sarah Rose Ann Webb Ballinger (09-17-1861—04-01-1947).

Dock Ballinger died April 9, 1973 and was buried at Yellow Springs Methodist Church Cemetery. He was a saw mill operator and timber appraiser. At one time, he operated sawmills at several places including Yellow Springs, Ballinger's School, and Sugar Tree. He was married first on 09-27-1899 to Elsie Florence Pugh and they had one daughter, Jessie Mae Ballinger Quinn. Elsie F. Pugh, was the daughter of Fannie Nicholas Pugh and David J. Pugh. Elsie F. Pugh was born in Thomasville, MO. They divorced and Dock Ballinger married Cornelia Jane “Neal” Bradford on 09-05-1912. Neal Ballinger was born on June 22, 1884 and died July 14, 1971 and is buried at Yellow Springs Cemetery. They had two sons, D. B. Ballinger and Delmer Ballinger and two daughters, Lena Ballinger and Ella Mae Ballinger Mullinax.

Dockery Ballinger’s picture holding a broadaxe is hanging in the Decatur County Museum in Parsons, TN. The statement under the picture is that he lived to be 92 years old and worked until he died.

An article written about him in “True Grit: magazine stated the following: “ EX-Lumberjack Still “Sharp” Active at 90. Although the finesse of his ax swing is only a memory, Dock Ballinger, 90, of Parsons, still enjoys a hearty existence as one of the deans of Tennessee and Arkansas lumberjacks. Wielding a broadaxe since he was 16, Ballinger hewed railroad ties from surrounding forests. Using a combination of muscle, eyes and timing, he cut and squared logs with his 8 lb. broad bladed tool.

It seems like the broadaxe got to where it followed the eye pretty close because in a 50 foot log, there would not be a half inch difference on the thickness of the tie. His last experience with lumbering was only two years ago when he filed saws at a sawmill. Now television viewing, social trips to town, duck hunting, and fishing fill the days for this rugged individual.

An avid runner, Ballinger has lost only one foot race in nine decades. Even at his present age, he challenges any person 15 years younger, to a 100 yard dash. And he can still swing an ax as well as many lumberjacks. He continues to drive a car, gets around without the aid of a cane, and is very alert.”

Contributed by Linda Lewis