BALLARD, Tilghman Ethan - Putnam

Tilghman Ethan Ballard, son of William Sanford and Patience Anne Ballard was born in a log cabin in Boone County, Indiana Nov 11, 1850. He was a child of plain pioneer people who made a success of life by industry and thrift and who were never afraid to speak their convictions. At the age of three years he was taken to Jackson Township, Putnam County, Indiana where he lived with his parents, on the first farm they ever owned, until the fall of 1870 when he entered Asbery College at Greencastle, Ind where he spent two years. Later he entered Smithson College at Logansport, Ind where he spent one year.  Following this he taught school and preached until in May 1871 when he located in Crawfordsville, Ind; in the meantime having been united in marriage with Evaline Clodfelter on June 22, 1876 and they spent the first year of their marriage at Roann, Ind. To this union there were born three children: Rev. Ray C. Ballard, pastor of ME Church Geddes, SD; Mary Anne Ballard, teacher of music in Chicago Public Schools and Evaline Ballard, teacher of English in Crawfordsville HS all of whom with their mother survive the deceased.  He also leaves one brother, Emerson E. Ballard and a sister, Mattie A. Bickford, Both of this city. When Mr. Ballard came to Crawfordsville, he was admitted to practice law to the Montgomery County bar, after a thorough course of self-preparation, forming a partnership with Vaughn which continued one year. Upon the dissolution of this partnership, he took over the business and practiced alone until 1880 when he formed a partnership with Marion E. Clodfelter, his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Ballard & Clodfelter. This partnership continued until March 1886 when there was a dissolution followed by a new partnership formed between Mr. Ballard and his brother, Emerson E. Ballard, under the firm name of Ballard & Ballard.  These brothers were associated together until Nov 1890 (? Smudge) in which time they practiced law and also worked in the field of legal literature being the editors of Thornton and Ballard’s Indiana Practice Code, Ballard’s Indiana Law of Real Property; Ballard’s Kentucky Law of Real Property and Ballard’s Ohio Law of Real Property, a serial publication covering this subject throughout the US. Later on a corporation was formed for the publication of these books known as the Ballard Publishing Company of which TE Ballard was president. As a lawyer, Mr. Ballard achieved distinction, having been admitted to practice in the US court of Appeals.  He was alert, keen, logical and a determined fighter. He would not participate in litigation until convinced the cause of the client was just and his legal position sound, but being satisfied as to these, there was no compromise or retreat. Throughout all of his life, Mr. Ballard maintained a keen interest in political issues.  His early affiliations were with the Democratic party but in the campaign of 1922 when the temperance issue was first presented in Indiana on the adoption of a constitutional prohibition amendment, he aligned himself as a determined enemy to the liquor interests. He never faltered or abandoned the fight. He was candidate on the Prohibition ticket at various times for prominent positions such as congressman, attorney general and governor of the state.  In taking his position on public questions he was always guided by his convictions and his conscience; he was not afraid to stand alone and his opinions were never shaded on account of the applause or condemnation of the multitude. He despised the shallowness and duplicity of the politician. To him government should be an agency to establish the Kingdom of Heaven.  The sublime heights in this man’s life were manifested in his devotion to religious truths.  Even when his physical powers had so waned he was deprived of the enjoyment of reading and writing he continued to think, dictating his thoughts to his wife and left us his parting legacy to his family and the world a profound booklet on The Basis of Religion.  To him the Bible contained a real revelation from God.  He was a firm believer in the fundamentals of true religion and had an abiding faith in the wisdom, power and love of God.  While Mr. Ballard was attending Asbury College, he united with the Universalist Church and to the fundamentals of its faith he maintained a steadfast allegiance throughout his life. He had no sympathy with those cruel theological dogmas which were colored with vivine vengeance.  He firmly believed and steadfastly live in harmony with the great truth that, “God is Love!”  Soon after joining the Universalist church he was licensed to preach and this relationship continued for nearly 30 years, during which time he achieved a state wide reputation as a writer of religious articles and defender of his chosen faith in public debate.  In the latter capacity, he had few equals and NO superior. For a time he published a religious newspaper known as The Key to Truth and also was an associate editor of Manford’s Magazine published in Chicago.  In 1900 he became a member of the Northwestern Indiana Conference where he was distinguished for his strong pulpit work, and he continued to sustain active relations with that body until October 1913 when failing health compelled him to retire.  The struggles and achievements of this man are rich legacy to those … (note there is another lengthy paragraph finishing this up but it is totally unreadable) … physical powers … of the joy of the … he loved so well, but … his mind was clear, his …. Alert and his patient submission to the Supreme will was a full demonstration that we now say farewell to one the like of whom we shall not soon know again!