Ball, Emmett R. 1861-1922

BALL, ROSS, BEULL

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke --Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Source: Hawarden Independent (11-2-1922)

Born: May 6, 1861
Died: October 30, 1922

DEATH OF WELL KNOWN CITIZEN, E.R. BALL PASSED AWAY AT HIS HOME MONDAY EVENING--WAS NORTHWESTERN AGENT HERE FOR 26 YEARS ND WAS ALWAYS ACTIVE IN COMMUNIITY AFFAIRS

Emmett Reuben Ball, for thirty four years a well known resident of Hawarden passed away at 6:45 Monday evening at his home in this city following a long illness from Bright’s disease. He had been in very poor health all summer and although he sought the advice of America’s foremost specialist they seemed powerless and he failed steadily until the end came.

Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock this afternoon at the family home, conducted jointly by Reverend A.R. Hyatt of Beresford, formerly pastor of the Congregational Church here, and Reverend William F. Vance, the present pastor of the Associated Churches. Members of the Masonic Lodge conducted the services at Grace Hill Cemetery where interment was made.

Emmett R. Ball was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben and Polly (Beull) Ball, pioneer settlers of Clinton County, Iowa. He was born at Lyons, Clinton County, May 6, 1861, and died at Hawarden October 30, 1922, at the age of 61 years, 5 months and 24 days. He secured a common school education and also attended a business college, meanwhile learning the art of telegraphy in the Western Union Telegraph Company’s office at Clinton. He started his railroading career when only 19 years of age, his first station being at Shell Rock, Wisconsin. In 1881 he entered the employ of the Northwestern Railway Company and continued to serve this company faithfully for a period of 33 years. After serving as agent for the Northwestern at various places he was assigned to the Hawarden station in November, 1888, and continued as agent here for nearly twenty-six years, until his failing health prompted his retirement in the summer of 1914. Prior to coming to Hawarden he served as agent at Ireton for two or three years.

He was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Ross at Ireton on May 24, 1888. Two sons were born to them, Verne E. of Chatsworth, and Lloyd R. of Hawarden, both of whom with their mother are left to mourn the death of a kind and indulgent father and husband. He is also survived by one brother and two sisters, A.E. Ball of Comanche, Iowa, Miss Mary L. Ball of Clinton, Iowa and Mrs. H.A. Walden of Baker, Minnesota.

Edward R. Ball was one of Hawarden’s best known and most highly respected citizens. Coming here when the town was in its infancy he occupied a position of prominence and took an active part in all the movements for the up building of the town and community. Always mindful of the interests of the Northwestern Company, he attained a place high in the esteem of the officials of that company and it was to a large extent through the confidence which the Northwestern officials reposed in him that Hawarden its prominence as a Northwestern division point. He served at times on the Board of Education and as a member of the City Council and always gave his best effort towards community up building. For years he took a prominent part and active interest in politics and was held high in the councils of the republican party in Sioux County. He early recognized the great agricultural possibilities of this section and invested his savings in Sioux County farms and was still a large land owner at the time of his death. For many years he was a director in the First National Bank of this city and has continued as one of the stockholders of the institution. In 1907 he became a director in the Chatsworth Savings Bank and for the past year or two has been its president. He was also interested at times in banks at Alcester and Beresford. He was a prominent member of the Masonic orders, being enrolled as a member of the Blue and Royal Arch Lodges in this city, and a member if the Consistory, Knight Templars and Shrine in Sioux City.

In his passing Hawarden loses one its best citizens---and there is genuine sorrow in the hearts of hundreds of friends who have known and respected him during the years of his life here.