Francis Ballard, a gentleman of culture

FRANCIS BALLARD, son of Jonathan and Eleanor (Simmons) Ballard, b. November 11, 182O, town of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y.;
Married on January 1, 1843, at Mt. Blanchard, Ohio by Godfrey Wolford, J.P. to Rosanna ELDER;
d. Dunkirk, 0., August 3,1903; buried in Dunkirk Cemetery.
Came with his parents, in 1835, from Mayville in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., to Orange Twp. in Hancock Co., Ohio; for several years employed as teacher during the winter season;
purchased on December 12, 1842, land in Orange Twp.;
in 1852 with his brother Fayette and others drove a herd of milch cows through from Missouri to California;
returned soon after by way of Panama and New York City to Ohio, and lived until 1850 in Orange Twp., re-moving to a new farm near Mt. Blanchard, and in 1863 to a farm near Dunkirk.
He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church.
From a sketch read at his funeral by his son-in-law, Rev. A. M. Crist, "Francis was a typical pioneer - strong, steady, thoughtful, prudent, quick to respond to a call of need; slow to return an injury; a man of strong convictions, an insatiate desire for knowledge and a lifelong student--truly a gentleman of culture."

Civil War Records of Fredrick Ballard

A few years ago, before the prices increased, I sent for the Civil War records of Fredrick Ballard of Hancock County, Ohio. There was not much there except for his physical description...and how rare is that! When he enlisted, 5 September 1864, he was 18 years old with hazel eyes, dark hair, dark complexion, and was 5' 8" tall. He enlisted for a term of one year and was due $100.00.
He mustered out in Nashville, Tennessee on 14 June 1865. Having drawn $23.90 for clothing, he was due $66.66 2/3. That's what is handwritten! I wonder how they paid that 2/3 cent!
Fredrick was the 5th great-grandson of the first Ballards in America, William and Grace.