BALLARD, Emerson Etheridge - Putnam

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BALLARD, Emerson Etheridge

Emerson Etheridge Ballard

Source: AW Bowen History of Montgomery County, Indiana (1913) p 830

Emerson Etheridge Ballard -- Success is achieved only by the exercise of certain distinguishing qualities and it cannot be retained without effort. Those by whom great epoch changes have been made in the political and industrial world began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities and it was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their way and reaching the goal of their ambition. Such lives are an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more prone to give up the fight before their ideal is reached or definite success in any chosen field has been attained. In the life history of the honorable gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article we find evidence of a peculiar characteristic that always makes for achievement -- persistency, coupled with fortitude and lofty traits, and as a result of such a life, Mr. Ballard stands today one of the representative citizens and leading attorneys at law of Montgomery Co, and an author of repute. Emerson Etheridge Ballard, who maintains his office and residence in Crawforsville, was born near Wheaton, Putnam Co, IN Feb 27, 1865. He is a son of William Sanford Ballard and Patience Ann (BROWN) Ballard, both natives of Ky, the father's birth having occurred in Shelby Co. These parents grew up, were educated and married in Putnam Co IN where they were brought by their parents in childhood, and they spent their lives engaged in agricultural pursuits. They are both deceased. The paternal grandfather, Jesse Ballard was b. in Va. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Brown, son of Ezekiel Brown was born March 19, 1803. Ann C. GLENN, our subject's maternal grandmother, was b. May 13, 1802. EE Ballard grew to manhood on the home farm in Putnam Co. and he received his primary education in the district schools there, until he was 14, then attended the HS in Greencastle from which he grad. in May 1881, and in that city he took the 4 years' course in DePauw University, making an excellent record and grad. with the class of 1885. Early in life in determined upon a legal career and bent every effort to thoroughly prepare himself, and he was accordingly admitted to the bar at Greencastle on March 1, 1886. Two days later we find him in Crawfordsville, entering the practice of his profession in partnership with his brother, Tilghman E. Ballard, which continued until Nov 1898, and met with pronounced success. Beginning with the year 1888 the firm, in connection with its law practice, engaged int he work of editing and publishing law books, which was continued until the dissolution of the firm. Since that time our subject has been engaged as a law book editor, meeting with ever increasing success until today he is recognized as an authority in this line throughout the country. Ballard's law of Real Property, a national serial publication, now consisting of 14 volumes, was founded by Mr. Ballard and his brother, Tilghman E. in 1892. The first 5 vols were jointly edited and published by them; but beginning with the sixth volume Emerson E. has been the editor of this popular and meritorious publication, with the exception of two volumes, which is now published by T.H. Flood & Co, law book publishers of Chicago. During the past six years our subject has done considerable work on the lecture platform, wherever he has appeared as an earnest, forceful, entertaining and eloquent speaker. EE Ballard was married on Dec 19, 1888 to Ella F. CLODFELTER a lady of many estimable attributes, who was a daughter of Mathias and Mary Magdalen (SAYLOR) Clodfelter. To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Ella Maurine Ballard, born Aug 7, 1891; and Cecil May Ballard, born on August 24, 1895 and her death occurred on Oct 24, 1899. Politically, Mr. Ballard is a Democrat and has been loyal in his support of the fundamental principles of Democracy. Fraternally, he is a member of Montgomery Lodge #50, Free and Accepted Masons; Crawfordsville Chapter No. 40; Royal Arch Masons; Montgomery Council No. 34; Royal and Select Masons; Crawfordsville Commandery, No. 25 Knights Templar and Athens Chapter No 97 Order Eastern Star.

Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p 400.

Emerson E. Ballard was born Feb 27, 1865 in Putnam Co near Wheaton was reared there until 14 and then moved to Greencastle and graduated form the HS ther ein1 881 and from the university at DePauw in 1885 with the degree of AB. he then began to read law and was admitted to practice in 1886 and at once became connectedw ith his brother. In June 1888 DePauw University conferred on him the degree of AM. In 1888, Dec 29, he married Miss Ella Clodfelter, a sister of the wife of his borhter, and has one daguhter, Maurine. Both members of the firm work in close connection, but the older is very stron gin court trials and is well known all over the state. Aside from faithfully discharging their duties to their clients, these have found time to establisht heir name sin legal literature. They are authors of Ballard's Real Estate AStatues of Indiana also of a similar work of Ky, and joint authors with Mr. Thornton of the Annotate Indiana Practice Code. The Ballard Brothers also publish Ohio Law aof Real Property and Annual on the Law of Real Property. They are editors and publishers of the last-named book, having recently organized the Ballard Publishing Company. These works have received the highest endorsement of the bench and bar.

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