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Simeon Ballou
Born 18 April 1864 |
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In the days of his activity Simeon Ballou was one of the prosperous farmers and stockmen of Jones county. He has now retired from a large farm to a smaller one, feeling that the success of his past years entitled him to a partial rest. A native of this county, he was born April 18, 1864, and is the son of Andrew and Philissa Ballou. The former was born in New York state, the latter in Ohio, but in 1850, they came here and took up government land. For more than half a century, the homestead remained the residence of Andrew Ballou. He had not only witnessed the many changes that had transpired here, but had taken part in work of development and upbuilding, for he was a man of great public spirit. When the republican party was organized he became one of its staunch adherents, was vigorously active in the anti-slavery agitation before the war and when the nation again settled into calm, he filled many of the local offices of his township and county. He was seventy-four when he was called from the cares of this world, January 22, 1905, but his widow is still living in Olin at the advanced age of seventy-seven. Seven children were born to them, only one of whom has passed away.
Simeon Ballou was raised at home and supplemented the meager education to be obtained from the district schools by practical experience on the farm which formed the foundation for his future success in his chosen vocation. Until he became of age he remained at home, assisting in the work that was carried on the old farm, and then moved to another part of the township where for one year he tilled the soil as a renter. He then located on the land which he now owns in Rome township. It lies on section 36, is two hundred acres in extent and has been his home for more than 20 years. In 1906 Mr. Ballou was able to purchase one hundred and fifty additional acres, situated in sections 13 and 24 of the same township. He has pursued general farming and has engaged largely in the breeding and raising of shorthorn cattle, finding a ready market and good price for his stock in the cities of the east. The good fortune that attended all his operations has enabled him to relinquish the heavy cares of this life, and to retire to a life of comfort and ease. He still retains his landholdings, however, though the greater part of them are rented.
On the 19th of September, 1886, Mr. Ballou was married to Miss Melissa Carter, who was born in Jones county in 1864. Her father, James Carter, was born in England in 1832, and is still living in Jackson township. His wife, who was Miss Rhoda Benadom in her maidenhood, was a native of Ohio, and through her marriage became the mother of seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Ballou no children have been born. Bred to belief in the stability of the principles of the republican party, Mr. Ballou has continued to give his political allegiance to its platform—not blindly, however, but because he believed it to present the best ideas for the government of a nation. He belongs to Olin Lodge, No. 200 A.F.&A.M., and he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 608. |
 Simeon Ballou, age 12. | ||
© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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