BALL, Smith - 1890 Bio (1810-1890)

BALL, ADAMS, MOFFETT, GILKISSON, CASE, PHILLIPS, FISHER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/26/2007 at 20:11:56

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 263-264

Smith BALL, of Fairfield, a pioneer of Jefferson County, was born in Madison County, Ky., on the 29th of July, 1810, and is a son of John and Nancy (ADAMS) BALL. His father was a native of Virginia, where he was reared to manhood. Crossing the line into North Carolina, he there became acquainted with, and married Miss ADAMS, and subsequently removed with his wife to Kentucky. He was a well-to-do farmer, and a worthy and respected citizen. His death occurred when our subject was twelve years of age, thus leaving to his widow the care of a family of eleven children, numbering four sons and seven daughters. Mrs. BALL managed to keep her children together, and provide for their wants until they could care for themselves, and after they had homes of their own, she spent her time with the different members of her family, living to an advanced age.

Our subject is the only survivor of a once large family, and he has now attained to the advanced age of eighty years. His early life was spent in his native State, where he received a common-school education. As soon as he was old enough, he took upon himself the management of the home farm, and continued its care until 1829, when he went to Sangamon County, Ill. During his residence there he frequently saw Abraham Lincoln, then a young lawyer just entering upon his professional career. Mr. BALL entered forty acres of land, and again resumed the occupation of farming. About this time considerable trouble with the Indians occurred, and in 1831 he went on a campaign against the Black Hawk tribe, going as far as Rock Island. The following spring he was again engaged in Indian warfare, the campaign continuing eighty days, during which time two battles occurred, one on the Wisconsin River, and the other at Bad Ax, on the Mississippi.

On the 15th of June, 1837, Mr. BALL was united in marriage with Rebecca MOFFETT, who was born in Fayette County, Ky., February 27, 1814, and a daughter of George and Rebecca (GILKISSON) MOFFETT. Virginia was their native State, and in the Old Dominion their marriage was celebrated, but later they removed to Kentucky, and about 1823 became residents of Sangamon County, Ill., where the mother died. Mr. MOFFETT subsequently removed to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1864. In their family were ten children, of whom three daughters are now living.

More than half a century has elapsed since Mr. BALL first set foot on Iowa soil. In the autumn of 1839, he crossed the Father of Waters, and located in Mt. Pleasant, but in April of the following year he came to Jefferson County, and settled in Round Prairie Township, where he bought about one hundred and forty acres of land. He and his worthy wife began life on the Western frontier in true pioneer style, their home being a little log cabin 14x14 feet. Soon afterward, however, he erected a frame dwelling, 16x18 feet, with a stone chimney, a palace it was thought in those days. In his farming operations Mr. BALL prospered. He is industrious, enterprising and progressive, and thoroughly understanding his business, he has met with a degree of success of which he has just reason to be proud. He kept adding to his land until at one time his possessions aggregated five hundred acres, three hundred and seventy of which he still owns, the entire amount being well improved and cultivated. Each year he added to his capital, until at length, having acquired a comfortable competence, in 1883, he retired from business life, and took up his residence in Fairfield, where he is now living in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil.

To Mr. and Mrs. BALL have been born eight children: Ann, wife of William CASE, a resident farmer of this county; Melissa, wife of George PHILLIPS, who is also engaged in farming; Nancy J., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Sarah, who died in infancy; George W., a legal practitioner of Iowa City; Cassandra, wife of Richard FISHER, a farmer; Lewis C., who is also engaged in agricultural pursuits; and Frank P., who follows the same business.

Mr. BALL has served his township as a Justice of the Peace, and has also held the office of County Commissioner. He was an Odd Fellow for a number of years, and helped organize the lodge at Glasgow, Iowa, but is now a non-affiliated member. In his political views he was formerly a Democrat, but since 1876 has voted with the Prohibition party. Both Mr. BALL and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and are numbered among its faithful supporters. This worthy couple have traveled life's journey together as man and wife for the long period of fifty-three years. They began in a humble way with little which they could call their own, reared a family of eight children, and were forced to overcome many of the difficulties of frontier life. Their lives have been darkened by sorrow, yet have been brightened by joy, they have met with reverses, yet their prosperity has been greater, and hand in hand they have traveled earth's journey, placing their dependence in the Father of all, until at length they have reached a peaceful old age, where they may rest from the toils of life, surrounded by loving children and warm friends.

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

Jefferson Biographies maintained by Joey Stark.
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