John M. Ball

Quite prominent among the people of Boone County is the person’s name at the head of this sketch, he being a son of Adrin and Mary Ball, he being of German descent and she of English. Mr. Ball’s parents came from Tennessee to Boone County at a very early day, settling near Thorntown in 1831. Was born in Sugar Creek Township, of this county, January 20, 1833. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Case, February 14, 1857. With him she has proven herself a worthy and faithful companion, the result of this marriage being one child, Carrie, who married Alfred H. Allen, son of Rev. Allen. Mr. Ball was so unfortunate as to lose one of his limbs; was hurt at school in 1851, and from that time on it bothered him until inflammation set in, and in May, 1872, had it amputated. His occupation has been that of farming until 1868, when he went in the grain business at Thorntown with Alfred Burk. This partnership lasted for about two years. He was nominated by the Democratic party for the auditor’s office, to which he was elected by an overwhelming majority when the county was about three to four hundred Republican, and was elected again in 1882, which term he has just finished. This shows Mr. Ball’s standing with the people of Boone County. He has been a very liberal patron to the secret orders of the county, belonging to the Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, Knights of Pythias and Knights of Labor. Mr. Ball was elected president of the Agricultural Association in 1878, which he filled satisfactorily for about four years. His sympathies have always been with that of the farmer. Politically speaking, he has always been a straight out Democrat, and what offices have been bestowed upon him have been very satisfactorily filled.
 

Transcribed by:  Julie S. Townsend - June 6, 2007
Source: "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana," Harden & Spahr, Lebanon, Ind., May, 1887, pp 233-234.