Biography of H. W. Ball, Randolph Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bridgette Cohen Date: 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Copyrighted and Published 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company H. W. Ball, farmer and stock raiser, Dalton, Ark. In reviewing the contents of this volume no adequate idea of the agricultural affairs of Davidson Township, or of its substantial citizens could be obtained which failed to make mention of Mr. Ball or the excellent estate which he owns. He was born in Independence County, Ark., on the 15th of December, 1840, and is the son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth (Dillard) Ball, both natives of Virginia. Benjamin F. Ball came to Arkansas about 1825, and settled in Independence County. He was twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Dillard, who bore him thirteen children, those now living being C. M., in Independence County; W. G., also in that county; H. W.; W. S., in Independence County; Elizabeth, and Arvilla, widow of Robert Wann. Mrs. Ball died in 1848. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ball's second marriage was with Mrs. Minerva Baker, nee Muskgrove, and by her he became the father of four children, only one now living, G. B., who lives in Independence County. The second Mrs. Ball died in 1876, and Mr. Ball died on the 24th of June, 1889. He was born in 1800; had been justice of the peace of his township for a number of terms, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years, and was a member of the Masonic fraternity for thirty-six years. In his politics he affiliated with the Republican party, and was a man universally respected for his honesty, integrity and liberality. He was among [p.372] the first settlers of his county, and his first crop was put in with a wooden plow, as no iron had been shipped into that country at that time. At the end of his second year's residence there, a small keelboat was pulled by hand up to Batesville, and brought some iron. The first few years of his life were spent in opening his farm. He was, up to the late war, a great stock raiser. The greater part of the first two years his meat was obtained in the forest by killing bears, deer and wild turkey. Mr. Ball had very little property when he went to Arkansas, but at the time of his death he owned about 500 acres of land, and was one of the leading farmers of that part of the county. He was the owner of the first threshing machine brought to that section of country (old fashioned ground-hog thresher). H. W. Ball received but a limited education, attending only the subscription schools of his section, and at the age of eighteen engaged in driving a back from Batesville to Smithville. He only followed this business a short time when he engaged in boating on the Black River, from Jackson Port to Pocahontas. Subsequently he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and this continued until 1862, when he joined the Confederate army under Col. McCarver, and served twelve months. He then returned home, and there remained until 1864, when he assisted in raising a company for the Unites States forces, and served for eleven months. After being disbanded Mr. Ball moved to Illinois (Union County), and after a residence there of two years came back to Arkansas, where he again engaged in farming, in Black River Bottom. The first crop he made was with a steer, but the second year he bought a yoke of steers, with which he made his second crop. He cleared twenty acres of land, and all his hauling was done with the oxen. For a wagon he used wooden trucks. He first purchased eighty acres, but at the end of four years sold this for $800, and moved to Sharp County, where he purchased a farm for $900, and there remained for ten years. He then sold out for the same amount, and moved on his present property in 1880. There were 240 acres in this, and he paid $750 for it. Since then he has added eighty acres. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Mildred K. Baker, daughter of Harrison Baker, who represented Independence County in the legislature two terms, and by her became the father of nine children, six now living: Ulysses R., wife of J. H. Moore, living in Randolph County; Harriet A., a teacher; James C., Eunice A., Franklin H. and Callie R. Mr. Ball served two terms as justice of the peace in Sharp County, Ark., and was elected to the third term, but did not serve. After coming to this county he was elected justice one term, and has also been school director a number of terms. His first wife died on the 6th of April, 1881. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Eastern Star Chapter, and was an excellent woman. Mr. Ball was married, the second time, to Miss Cynthia J. Jones, of Sharp County, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active worker in the same. Mr. Ball is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is treasurer of his lodge, has also served as Worshipful Master, and has filled all the principal stations in the lodge. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.