Ballard, A. W.

BALLARD, FLETCHER, COX

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/3/2012 at 10:18:03

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.
BALLARD, A.W.�Jackson Twp.�pg 640-1. Attorney at law. The subject of this sketch was born in Highland county, Ohio, June 13, 1834. He came with his parents to Jefferson county, Iowa, in June, 1845. The following August, his father, Wm. Ballard, though not yet a legal voter, was nominated by the Whigs of Jefferson county for Representative to the Legislature, and in that, their strong Democratic county, was defeated by a small majority. In November, 1846, they removed to Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, then a small village, at what was then called the narrows. Here young Ballard was reared and received his education in the private schools of the place. When a mere boy, had the honor of bringing the poll-books and tickets for the first election in this city. At that time Nathan Brown was understood to be the Whig party of this county and R.B. Ogden the Democratic party. He delivered the tickets to the respective political parties. While in Oskaloosa he held the position of Deputy Treasurer under Blackburn, and Deputy Clerk under Judge M.T. Williams. While holding this position he spent his spare time reading law with Judge Crookham, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. He then came to Montezuma, hung out his shingle and commenced the practice of law, his chosen profession. He is now the oldest attorney in practice in the county. He was married in Oskaloosa to Miss Eliza A. Fletcher, January 27, 1856. Mrs. B. is also a native of Highland county, Ohio. Their family consists of two sons: Wm. L. and Burton, and two daughters: Emma J. (now Mrs. S.H. Cox) and Sarah E. Under the call of President Lincoln, in 1862, for more soldiers, B. enlisted as a private soldier in company B, Fortieth Iowa. Was elected sergeant, and on the organization of the regiment was appointed by Col. Garrett sergeant-major of the regiment, in which position he served with credit until 1864, when he accepted an appointment under General Steele to recruit for the colored service. He entered upon this duty with others, recruited and mustered into service the One Hundredth and Twelfth U.S. colored infantry, he being appointed and mustered in as captain of company B, under Colonel Whipple. At the surrender of the rebel General Lee, General J.J. Reynolds appointed him Provost-marshal and Superintendent of Freedmen, for the district composed of Polk and Linn counties, of Arkansas, Red River and Bowie counties, Texas, and the Choctaw Nation, headquarters at Paraclifta, Arkansas. In this capacity he served until March 1, 1867, receiving the surrender of the rebel force in that section. Appointed civil officer and re-organized the civil government; was at his own request relieved from duty and mustered out March 1, 1867, when he returned to his home and business at Montezuma. His muster-roll into service shows him to be six feet two and a half inches in height . profession, a lawyer. He is orthodox in religion and Republican in politics. On resuming business he was the first to propose to incorporate the town of Montezuma. Was the first mayor, and re-elected. Was again mayor in 1879. Was an active promoter in the movement to build the G. & M. R.R. Was secretary of the company and resigned on completion of the road.