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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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B. F. Ballard, conceded to be among the prosperous farmers of Hot Springs Township, Garland County, Ark., was the oldest in a family of ten children born to Eli Ballard and Sethenia (McVen) Ballard, natives of Georgia. His birth occurred in Georgia in 1837. His father, who was reared on a farm, received a limited education in youth, and was married in 1836, rearing a family which consisted of four boys and six girls: B. F. (the subject of this biography), Robert M. (deceased), W. B., Joshua, Cassandra, Elizabeth, Rachel, Martha J., Maria and Catharine. Mrs. Ballard died in 1883, as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ballard is a stanch Democrat. B. F. Ballard was educated in the common schools of Georgia, and began farming for himself in 1855. The following year he married Eliza Strickler, daughter of Roswell Strickler, of Georgia. Subsequently the affairs of ordinary life were interrupted by war troubles, and, in 1862, Mr. Ballard enlisted in the Fifty-sixth Regiment Arkansas Infantry, Company A, under Capt. Brewster, remaining in service until the surrender, in 1865, at Greensboro, in North Carolina. He participated in nearly all of the principal engagements. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard are the parents of nine children, four of whom are deceased: Julian (deceased), Caria (now Mrs. Bworo), Mary (deceased), Eddie, Russie E., John W., Martha J. (deceased), Eli (deceased) and Alphonso. Mr. Ballard owns 150 acres of fine land, and ranks among the influential and enterprising citizens of the township. He is a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Ballard is a member of the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 55 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Garland County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Garland County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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