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Frank P. Ballou
Born 17 April 1862 |
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No citizen of Hale township is more highly respected nor more richly deserves the honor which is uniformly accorded him than Frank Ballou, a progressive and successful farmer and a consistent, earnest church worker. He was born on the 17th of April, 1862, on the farm which is now his home, his parents being Asa and Dilla (Bachelor) Ballou, natives of New York and New Hampshire, respectively.
The father, who was born January 29, 1835, came west with his father, Jerry Ballou, and a brother, Andrew, arriving in Iowa in 1852. He was a farmer, engaging in that occupation in Hale township throughout his entire business career. A few years prior to his death, however, he removed to Clarence where he lived retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former years of toil. He had been very successful in his chosen field of labor and at one time owned one thousand acres of land, his estate at the time of his death being valued at one hundred thousand dollars. He passed away in July, 1897, while his wife, who was born in January, 1845, still survives and makes her home in Clarence, Iowa. In their family are six children, namely: Hosea, residing in Clarence; Frank of this review; Amanda, the wife of Frank Root, of Oketa, Kansas; Susannah, who married William Gardner, of Clarence; James, who makes his home in Clarence; and Mrs. Daisy Root, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
Among the scenes and environment of rural life Frank Ballou was reared to manhood acquiring his education in the district schools near his father's home. The period of his boyhood and youth was passed in the usual manner of the country lad, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasure of the playground and the tasks that were assigned to him by parental authority. During the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the home farm and early learned lessons concerning the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, while the success which he today enjoys is an indication of the fact that this early training along agricultural lines was both thorough and comprehensive. He still resides on the farm upon which he was born, having made this his home throughout his entire life. He now owns two hundred acres of excellent farming property, one hundred twenty acres on section 26, constituting the home place and eighty acres on section 35. The farm comprises one of the most thoroughly improved properties in the district and the buildings, which stand upon it consisting of a comfortable and attractive dwelling, two large barns and substantial out buildings, are exceptionally fine, there being none better in the entire township. He carries on general farming and stock raising and for the past ten or twelve years has been an extensive feeder of steers, while for a few years has made a specialty of raising white-faced cattle. He has also found time to turn his attention into other channels and is now the owner of one thousand acres of land in Beal county, South Dakota, having been a dealer in Dakota land for the past five years. He is systematic and businesslike in the conduct of his affairs which, carefully managed, are bringing to him a most enviable degree of prosperity, while his various interests combine to make him one of the leaders and influential citizens of the township.
Frank Ballou was united in marriage in 1883 to Miss Mary E. Hammond, who was born in 1869 in Oxford township, Jones county, a daughter of Shadrach and Emeline (Kimball) Hammond, both natives of New Jersey. Her father, who was born in Essex county, that state, on the 22d of June, 1831, went to Ohio early in life, first locating in Delaware county and later in Franklin county, where, on the 20th of December, 1854, he was married. He then came to Jones county, Iowa, where his remaining days were spent, his death occurring on the 2d of December, 1895. He was one of the early settlers of Oxford township, this county, and no man stood higher in the regard and affection of his fellowmen. He was a consistent member of and active worker in the Methodist church and assisted in the erection of several church buildings. The following paragraph taken from a local newspaper at the time of his death indicates something of the feeling entertained for him by his fellow citizens: "Shadrach Hammond had so lived this life that he was held in the highest esteem possible among all those who have known him in the forty years he has been in this township. No one knew him but to honor and respect his manly character. He bore malice to no man. He had no enemies. During his last sickness the interest felt in his condition was only a manifestation of the love his noble life has engendered among his fellowmen, and the announcement of his death brought forth a blessing from him from every lip." His wife has also passed away, her death occurring in Oxford Mills.
As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ballou has been blessed with six children, Namely: Virgil, who married Myrtle McClure, of Rome township, by whom he has one child, Velma June; Perry, who married Maude Slife, and resides upon the home farm with his father; Lydia, the wife of Thomas Lindsey, of Cedar county, by whom she has one child, Ethel Murial; Ella, Frederick and Mabel, all yet under the parental roof.
In politics Mr. Ballou casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the prohibition party, to which organization he gives stalwart allegiance, believing that intemperance is one of the greatest evils with which the country has to contend, and that it is the duty of each true and loyal citizen to do all in his power to prevent its existence in the community in which he resides. He is a prominent member of the Wesleyan Methodist Dayton Valley church, in the work of which he has been a very potent factor. He is now serving as class leader and superintendent of the Sunday school, and is also one of the trustees of the local church and of the Iowa conference. He is likewise a member of the book committee of the church which meets every year at Syracure, New York, and is serving his second term in that capacity, each term covering four years. Loyal in his citizenship, no matter having for its object the material and moral growth of the community seeks his aid in vain. What the country needs is more men like him—men whose integrity is unquestioned, whose motives are of the highest and whose actions are actuated by all that is best and noblest in life.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 546.
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© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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