BALL, Hon. George Washington - 1890 Bio (1848-1920)

BALL, LONGFITT, LANGFITT, LAUGHLIN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/26/2007 at 19:29:37

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 596-597

Hon. George W. BALL, who resides on a pleasant farm situated on section 19, Fairfield Township, adjacent to the city limits of Fairfield, is the present representative from his district in the State Legislature and is numbered among the early settlers of the community dating his residence in Jefferson County from 1854, when a lad of six summers, he accompanied his parents to Fairfield. He was born on the 6th of March, 1848, in Hancock County, W. Va., and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (LONGFITT [sic - LANGFITT]) BALL. He received his education in what was known as the Fairfield University and was reared to farm life, becoming familiar with the ways and methods of operating a farm by assisting his father in the management of the homestead.

On the 31st of October, 1872, Mr. BALL was united in marriage with Miss Maggie LAUGHLIN, daughter of Harvey and Mary LAUGHIN, who were early settlers in Jefferson County. Their home was originally in Tennessee, whence they removed to Illinois, and in 1840 they settled in this community, where the death of the father occurred in 1887. His wife still survives him. Mrs. BALL was born in Locust Grove Township, and by her marriage became the mother of five children yet living, four sons and a daughter -- Charles F., the eldest, was born May 20, 1874; Joseph L., July 6, 1878; Harry I., November 5, 1880; Nellie B., May 17, 1884; and William N., September 25, 1886. They also lost one child, the second, Harry L., who was born May 31, 1876, and died February 15, 1883.

Mr. and Mrs. BALL are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Republican. In the fall of 1877 he was elected by his party to represent his district in the State Legislature, and in the autumn of 1889 he was re-elected to the same position -- a fact which indicates his fidelity and ability during his first term. His course during the present term has also elicited the praise of his constituents, and he has proved a useful member of the Iowa Legislature. His business is that of farming and stock-raising, and he owns four hundred acres of valuable land in Fairfield Township. He raises only the best grades of stock, and has been quite successful in this branch of business. His public and private life are alike above reproach. He is an unassuming man of quiet dignity whose upright course has won him the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.