Thomas Franklin Ballard

Among the prominent and successful citizens of Greene county may be mentioned the subject, who is a prosperous farmer and a respected and useful member of society. His valuable estate, which is located in Smith township, attracts attention and favorable comment, Hisentire life has been, spent on the same farm, in the same house, of which fact he is justly proud, for many and obvious reasons.

Thomas Franklin Ballard was born Aupst 29, - 1865, the son of James F. and Mahulda (Danley) Ballard. The great-grandfather of the subject spent his life in Kentucky. His grandfather was born in that state but later moved to Greene county, Indiana, settling on a farm which his father had given him and where he spent the remainder of his life, raising four children by his first wife of which the father of the subject was the second in order-of birth, having been born in Kentucky but was brought to Greene county, Indiana, and spent part of his life on a farm which is now owned by John J. Ballard. Three children were born to the subject’s grandfather by his second wife. The subject’s father was always a farmer, remaining in Greene county after he first took up his residence there until his death, which occurred in 1880, when he was fifty years old. Five children were born to this union, three of whom are now living,namely : Benjamin, deceased; Columbus, connected with the Citizens’ State Bank at Bloomftield; he has been county treasurer for two terms. William was the third son; he is in the elevator business at Worthington, Indiana. Ella, the fourth child, is deceased; T. F., our subject, was the youngest.

The subject spent his youth working on the farm and attending the country schools. Inheriting his father’s homestead of two hundred acres, he has added eighty acres, all of which comprises one of the most clesirable farms in the county. Much of this large farm was cleared and put uncler the plow by Mr. Ballard; in fact, his unexcelled judgment as an agriculturist has transformed this naturally- excellent tract of land into a model farm that would bring a high figure if thrown on the market. It is nox practically all in grass and pasture, over which range large herds of cattle, droves of sheep, and hogs, all of good quality. His sheep are sold for mutton and he also sells much wool, while he is preparing his other stock for market. All of this farm is naturally drained, being rolling for the most part, and the soil not only rich but in perfect order, the fencing being mostly wire.

Mr. Ballard was united in marriage to Laura Simmers in 1892, a native of Greene county and the daughter of William and Mary (Gamble) Simmers, the former having been a soldier in the Union army, as was also his brother John. Thomas Ballard, an uncle o,f the subject, was a member of an Indiana regiment! and was lost in battle. The wife of the subject was called to her reward in 1907. There was no issue from this union. Mrs. Ballard was a consecrated Christian, being a member of the Christian church, of which the subject is also a member. Politically he is a stanch Republican. His probity, ficlelity and sterling worth have won him the unqualified confidence of his fellow citizens and he receives the respect and esteem which ever follow an upright career.

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"Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. with Reminiscences of Pioneer Days", B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, IN, 1908, Vol. 2 pg. 843-845

Last updated 8.11.2009