BALL, George W 1848 - 1920

BALL, LANGFITT, LAUGHLIN, HUNT, BURNS, WASHINGTON, AXLINE

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 11/29/2009 at 18:58:43

The Fairfield Ledger
Wednesday, March 17, 1920

SENATOR BALL PASSED AWAY SUNDAY

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George W. BALL, Prominent in Affairs This County and State Passed Away Sunday

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Our city was startled Sunday by the announcement of the death of Senator BALL. He had been unwell for some days but on the eighteenth he attended a meeting of the stockholders of the Savings Bank and while he was weak, he seemed to be on the road to recovery. None of his friends anticipated that he was to go so soon.

George W. BALL was born in New Cumberland, West Virginia and was the son of Joseph and Margaret LANGFITT BALL. His ancestry was of the same family in Mary BALL, the mother of George WASHINGTON. He came with his parents to Jefferson county in 1854. His father purchased what is known at the Marcy farm just west of the Fairgrounds but sold this in a few years. He bought the BALL homestead in the western part of Center township where George was raised, later buying the farm and making it into one of the best and most highly improved in the county.

He was educated in the public schools and in the Fairfield university which was conducted by Andrew AXLINE in the large brick building which stood a little southwest of the present site of the Electric plant.

He held various township offices and was the representative from this county in the 22nd and 23rd General Assemblies. The campaign in this county preceding his election as representative the first time was the hottest since the Civil War. Prohibition was the issue and Mr. BALL stood squarely against the saloons. Party lines were in a large measure dissolved. The canvass went into every school district in the county and was in a considerable degree individual. Mr. BALL was elected by over 400 majority which was very large under the circumstances.

He was also the representative of Jefferson county in the 86th General Assembly and was in the Senate in the 37th and 38th General Assemblies. At the time of his death, he was a candidate for reelection and would not have had any opposition in his own party in this county and probably none in the district.

Mr. BALL was a man of influence and distinction in this county and in southern Iowa. He was a man of great native force and intelligence. He was a dominant personality.

He gave one the impression of positive strength and when this was joined to unusual activity, it constitutes a man who had to be reckoned with in the community. On any question with which he had to deal, he speedily reached a definite decision and was ready to make it known and give his reason.

He believed in progress and his face was always toward the front. He worked hard in the interest of proper legislation for the control of the railroads, for prohibition and for woman suffrage. It was recognized by those who knew him that his work in behalf of these and other reforms was of the greatest value.

He never trimmed or waited on the sentiment of others. He could take counsel of others, but he also took counsel of his own judgment and principles. In politics, the most trying medley in the world, he played the game fair. His promise once given was inviolate. All persons knew where he was and what he meant to do. He never withheld his words, or tempered their force out of fear of any man or of any consequences of himself. He was loyal to his friends, and they trusted him absolutely.

Naturally he came to the front and was concerned with all the activities of the community. For any cause which appealed to him, and the number of causes was large, he was the most patient, tireless and effective worker in the county. He gave of his effort and liberally of his means. He was a generous public spirited citizen. He will be missed profoundly. His associates as they carry on the work of the community will say one to another, "We should have BALL to help us in this."

George W. BALL was married in 1872 to Margaret L. LAUGHLIN of this county, who died in 1912. Four sons, Charles, Harry, Joseph and W.N. BALL and one daughter, Mrs. Nellie HUNT survive him, together with a number of grandchildren. Harvey J. BALL, his son who was born in 1876, died in 1893. Mr. BALL was one of nine children, only two of whom are living; Mrs. Alex BURNS of Ottumwa and W.C. BALL of this city.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, March 16th at 2:30. The services were conducted by Reverend R. H. Polly of the Christian church; Mr. BALL having been an active and devoted member of this church for many years. Interment was in Evergreen cemetery.

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

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Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, SDof25-006.