My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT EMES BALLARD, marine engineer, Emsworth, was born in Nashua, N. H., Oct. 8, 1826, son of Luther and Rebecca (Whitcomb) Ballard, former of whom came to Pittsburgh in 1840, bringing machinery for a bucket factory and the first iron slide-lathe that was run in that city. He spent his later years in Ohio, where he died. Robert E. Ballard received most of his education in New Hampshire, finishing in Pittsburgh. He was married, in 1850, to Mary Ann Ralph (see sketch of her brother, C. C. Ralph), who died in 1885. Her father was an engineer on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and Mr. Ballard, in 1853, began engineering with him, a business he has since followed. Prior to 1853 he was a machinist and engine builder, and for seventeen years was in the service of Joseph Walton & Co. In April, 1862, Mr. Ballard joined the service as first assistant engineer on the T. D. Horner, and served at the siege of Memphis, Vicksburg and other places in the war. He is a member of the G. A. R., and Steamboat Officers’ Protective association of Pittsburgh; politically he is a republican. His parents were Presbyterians, but he and family belong to the M. E. Church. Mr. Ballard is the father of eight children, viz.: Mary Ralph (Mrs. Albert McCaslin), Samuel Ralph, Sarah Amelie (Mrs. L. K. Porter), Adda Virginia (Mrs. Robert Palmer), Charles Robert, Elizabeth C., Martin N. and Hattie Alice.