My Genealogy Hound

O. W. BALLARD. Material wealth must not exclude the riches of character and ability in our recountal of the values which have been brought to this country by its citizens; and among its most precious treasures must be estimated the lives of those citizens who have by their intelligence and their eminence in the higher walks of life assisted in raising the standard of life and thought among us. No one has probably done more in this line than he of whom we write. O. W. Ballard, one of the reputable men of Berrien County, like other prominent men of the place, is a native of the Empire State, born in Madison County December 21, 1833, and is now residing on a fine farm on section 34, Niles Township, Berrien County, Mich.

His father, Jeremiah Ballard, was also a native of Madison County, N. Y., born May 5, 1801, and was there reared to mature years. All his life was passed in tilling the soil, at which he was fairly successful. His father, Daniel Ballard, was born and reared in the Old Bay State and was also a farmer by occupation, but in addition also ran a sawmill. He served in the War of 1812, and it is supposed that he was a private. Jeremiah Ballard, the great-grandfather of our subject, or his brother was appointed Captain of the militia by William Sherley, and later Captain, General and General-in-Chief in and over his Majesty’s province of Massachusetts Bay in New England, in the eighth year of the reign of his Majesty, King George II. This was in 1734.

Clara Huston was the maiden name of our subject’s mother. She was born in Madison County, N. Y., August 31, 1800, and was the daughter of Thomas Huston, who was born in one of the New England States and was of English descent. The parents of our subject were married in their native county, but in 1852 they came to Berrien County, Mich., and here passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying June 24, 1890, when in his ninetieth year, and the mother December 13, 1873, when in her seventy-third year. The father was a Republican in his political views and was Supervisor of his township for many years. He was well and favorably known in his county. In his religious belief he was a Universalist.

Four children were born to this most estimable couple, three sons and one daughter, viz.: Thomas S., born in Madison County, N. Y., May 15, 1825, died August 26, 1861; Milton M., also a native of Madison County, N. Y., born April 3, 1827, died December 21, 1871; Cornelia M., born in Madison County, N. Y., August 27, 1829, is the wife of David H. Freed, of Niles, Mich.; and O. W. is the youngest child. The latter, who is the original of this notice, is of English-Danish descent. He remained in his native county until eighteen years of age, and received his schooling, after the manner of the average farmer boy, in the district school. He came with his parents to Michigan in 1852, and remained with them until their deaths.

As his ancestors before him had been farmers for many generations back, he naturally had a liking for that pursuit, and after the death of his parents he carried on the farm. He now owns a half-interest in one hundred and sixty acres, and in connection with farming is raising a good grade of stock. In his political views he was at one time a Republican, casting his first Presidential vote for Fremont. His last Presidential vote was cast for Bidwell, the Prohibition candidate. Mr. Ballard is a strong and vigorous man physically, has never used tobacco in any form, and is strictly temperate in his habits. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a single man.