James F. Ball, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Frances Ball Turner

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History of Louisiana by Chambers
Vol. III, pg. 325

JAMES F. BALL has been in the lumber business since early youth, and is
still operating sawmill and other departments of the lumber industry, his
home being in the City of Alexandria.

Mr. Ball was born at Alexandria, January 12, 1873, son of C.E. and Pauline
(Tally) Ball, his father a native of Henderson County, Kentucky and his mother
of Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  The parents were married in this state, and of
their eleven children seven are now living.  They were very active members of
the Methodist Church.  C.E. Ball was a democrat in politics.  In eary life he
followed the occupation of mechanical engineer, and for many years was a
sawmill operator, being still active in that business when he died.

James F. Ball was educated in the public schools of Pineville and
Alexandria, and can hardly remember a time when he was not familiar with
the operations of logging and lumber manufacture.  He went into the
sawmill as soon as he had completed his schooling, and for some years was
associated with the firm of C. E. Ball & Sons.  Since 1905 his business has
been conducted as the J.F. Ball-Brother Lumber Company, Ltd.  He is still
operating one mill, and in addition does an extensive wholesale and retail
lumber business, handling the products of a number of mills throughout the
Southwest.  His business in Alexandria is at the corner of Eighth and Murray
streets.  He is president of the company and general manager. Besides his
lumber interests, he owns a large store in Alexandria and has two good
plantations.

Mrs. Ball's prosperity has come to him as the just reward of a very earnest
and industrious career.  He has been honored in public affairs, having
completed four years as president of the Rapides Parish police jury in 1923. 
He is a democrat and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 
He married, in 1898, Miss Sarah E. Hoffman, who was born and educated at
Pineville.  Their two children are J.F., Jr., manager of his father's store,
and Helene, born in 1912.  These children and their mother are members of the
Catholic Church.