Ball - James - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

JAMES BALL, who resides on Section 31, Wayne Township, is the son of a pioneer of Montgomery County, and is numbered among the farmers and stockmen of the present day who are so ably sustaining and extending the work so well begun by their fathers in making this a well-developed agricultural center. Our subject is a native of Butler Co., Ohio, and was born March 2, 1817. His father, whose given name was Dennis, was born in Pennsylvania in 1779. He was a volunteer in the War of 1812, and had a brother Henry, who served in the same War. The latter was taken prisoner and held by the Indians twelve years. He adopted their customs and habits, and finally married the old chief's daughter. The father of our subject came to Montgomery County in 1826, in the early days of its settlement, being thirteen days on the way from Butler County. He was one of the first settlers of Wayne Township, where he bought of the government five eighty-acre tracts of land. His first work after the land came into his possession was to cut down trees with which to build a log cabin to shelter his family. He proved himself a useful addition to the pioneer workers of the County, and his death in 1839 was considered a loss to the community. The following is recorded of the children reared by himself (Dennis Ball) and his wife (Margaret LYONS Ball): Margaret born July 22, 1808, married David RUSK, died October 29, 1846; Johanna born Dec. 28, 1809, married John Rusk, died Sept. 1, 1864; Abigail, born Oct. 28, married Edwin Quick, died Oct. 6, 1846; Nathan was born January 30, 1813, married a Mrs. Moore, who died May 4, 1852; Isaiah, who was born Apr. 10, 1815, died 1839; James was born in 1817; Nancy, born Dec. 13, 1818, married A. D. SALOME, born apr. 22, 1821, married Abram HEATH; Sarah, born Sept. 14, 18__, married Jack MULLEN, died May 18, 1883. When our subject started out in life he received some assistance from his mother. He first settled on the old homestead after his marriage and he and his wife spent the first three years of their wedded life in a log cabin. But little of the land had been improved and it was covered with timber, except fifty acres of fine land in all, and one hundred acres of it under the tillage. He devotes it to grain raising and to raising blooded stock, of which he has some fine specimens. His buildings are of a good class, and evidences of thrift and wise management are seen on every hand.  Mr. Ball was married in this township February 11, 1840, to Miss Katherine HOFF, daughter of N. and Jerusha Hoff. Of their large family, Isaiah, who was born the year 1840, married Mary CHAMBERS, and is now engaged in farming in Marion County, Iowa; Drusilla, born in 1841 died in infancy; Nathaniel married Sarah Snyder, and is a carpenter in Iowa; Dennis, born in 1844, married Minnie Raleigh, and is a carpenter at Manitou Springs, Colo. ; Robert is a carpenter in Mitchellville, Iowa, was born Dec. 22, 1845, married Mary GOODALL ; Albert, born in 1848, died in infancy; Benjamin, born in 1849, married Sarah Almeda SCHENCK, resides on his father's farm; G. W., born in 1851, married Charlotte HEATH, is a lawyer by profession; Marguerite, born Oct. 8, 1853, lives with her parents, and Jerusha, born Oct. 1, 1857, died Jan. 28, 1876. The Ball family was represented in the late war by the eldest son, Isaiah, who was a volunteer in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry under Capt. Johnson, and served nobly for three years. Throughout his career our subject has maintained a high reputation as a man of signal probity, who is eminently worthy of the trust imposed in his fellow citizens, who have several times called upon him to represent Wayne Township on the County Board of Supervisors. He has discharged his official duties punctually, with great capability, and with an eye single to the public good. An active worker in politics, Mr. Ball is a very serviceable member of the Democratic party. Since the above was written our subject has sold the most of his landed estate and has retired on one corner of the old farm. He is the possessor of one of the old long-string clocks, which his father bought in 1828. It is still running, and keeps good time. James Ball, b. Butler Co., Ohio, 3-2-1817, son of Dennis Ball, b. Penn 1779 d. 1839. Was Justice of Peace in Ohio many years. Settled in 1825 in Montgomery Co. Ind. Dennis Ball was Co. Comm. several years, dying in offce. 9-12-1805 married Margaret Lyons - she was born in Penn 1785, d. 1866; came from M. J., settled here 1833; James Ball's children - Nathaniel, Dennis, Robert, Benjamin, Maggie, Jennie, and Drusilla. (page 603 Montgomery Co. History, publ. 1878) Tracy Jones

Source: H. W Beckwith History (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 603

James BALL, farmer, Wesley, was born in Butler Co, Ohio, March 2, 1817. His father, Dennis Ball, was born in Pennsylvania in 1779 and died in 1839. He was JP in Ohio for many year. In 1825 the Balls settled in Montgomery County, Indiana where they entered 320 acres of land, the patent for this being signed by the "old man eloquent," JQ Adams. They were 14 days on their journey to this County, which was  then mostly a wilderness, covered with woods and inhabited by wild beasts and Indians. Dennis Ball was County commissioner for several  years, and was performing the duties of that office in the counrthouse  at Crawfordsville when he died. Sept 12, 1805 he was married to Margaret LYONS. She was born in Pa. 1785 and died 1866 and was a member of  the Baptist Church. James Ball has lived on the palce where he now resides ever since his father came here in 1825. He has 150 acres of land and has raised stock and grain on his farm, having been quite successful. Feb 11, 1840 he was married to Catherine HOFF, who was born June 17, 1820 and is a member of the Baptist Church. Her parents came from NJ and settled int his County in 1833. They are both dead.  Mr. Ball has had 7 children: Nathaniel, Dennis, Robert, Benjamin, Maggie, Jennie, and Dr4usilla (the last two being dead). Was in the 5th Cav, 86th Ind, Vols and was out three years and was sick much of the time. Mr. Ball is a Democrat in politics and has paid taxes ever since the very day he was of age. He is a good citizen. -- typed by kbz

Source: 1878 Montgomery County, Indiana Atlas (Chicago: JH Beers, p 55)

BALL, James; PO Wesley (Wayne Twp) Farmer; was born in Butler County, OH  in 1817; came to this County 1826 and now resides on the farm located by his father, Dennis Ball; married Catharine HOFF in 1840 and has 11 children, 7 living.