William Perry Ballard

This representative business man and honored resident of Worthington is a native of Greene county and the second of two children, whose parents. were J. F. and Mahulda (Danely) Ballard. The father of J. F. Ballard moved from Kentucky to Indiana a number of years ago, settled in Greene county, where he became a wel-to-do [well-to-do] farmer, and here spent the remainder of his days, dying in the prime of life and usefulness. The subject’s father was reared to agricultural pursuits and followed that honorable calling for a livelihood and departed this life in the year 1880, leaving three sons, as already indicated, the older of whom, Christopher C. Ballard, served two terms as treasurer of Greene county and one term as representative in the general assemb!y. Ira and Olive (Jessup) Danely, parents of Mrs. J. F. Ballard, were natives of North Carolina and early settlers of Greene county, with the growth and development of which the family has actively identified. (For the history of this large and interesting family, the reader is respectfully referred to the biography of William T. Danely, on another page of this volume.)

W. P. Ballard was born in the month of February, 1855, and grew to manhood’s estate amid the rural scenes, ancl early became familiar with the duties of the farm. In the public schools, which he attended during the winter seasons during his minority, he laid the foundation of a mental discipline, which has been supplemented by years of close observation. In due time Mr. and continued the same with creditable success until 1903, when he turned his farm over to other hands and moved to Worthington, where two years later he purchased an interest in the elevator and engaged in buying and shipping grain. Since 1905 he has personally managed the elevator and in connection with the grain trade he handles fuel of all kinds, conducting a general exchange business, which is constantly growing in magnitude.

Mr. Ballard owns considerable real estate in Greene county, his farm of two hundred and eighty acres being all underlaid with rich deposits of coal. His place is well improved, with substantial buildings, fences, etc., and the soil, which is of a deep, clayey natmet is admirably adapted to all the grain crops grown in this latitude, also to fruits of various kinds, which the farm produces in abundance. In the matter of live stock he devotes considerable attention to cattle. In addition to the holdings already mentioned, Mr. Ballard owns valuable city property, including a modern residence in Worthin,oton, besides other interests which place him among the financially strong men of the county.

Mr. Ballard supports the Republican party and manifests an abiding interest in public matters, keeping in touch with political issues. He is identified with the fraternity of Odd Fellows, having filled all the chairs in the local lodge with which he holds his membership. On Februaty 19, 1880, Mr. Ballard and Emma A. Fuller, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Guthrie) Fuller, were made husband and wife, their union being blessed with two children : Plymouth G., born November 19, 1887, a graduate of the Worthington high school, is now pursuing his studies in the college at Danville ,with the object in view of taking an agricultural course in Purdue University; James L., the second son, is deceased. The subject and wife are active Christian church at Worthington.

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Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. With Reminiscences of Pioneer Days, Illustrated (1908, B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, Indiana) Vol. 2 pg. 662-4

Last updated 8.11.2009