Capt. Devillo P. Ballard (1832-1917)

BALLARD, BOYES, FERGUSON, ROBBINS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/16/2022 at 12:53:11

From Nevada Representative January 26, 1917 (page 5)

OBITUARY

CAPT. D. P. BALLARD

Devillo P. Ballard, a pioneer who settled in Story County, Iowa, in the year 1858, died in Hospital at Washington, D. C. January 20th 1917 his age being 84 years the 19th of last October. His resting place is in Arlington Cemetery, Virginia, among Veterans and heroes of the Civil War. He left Story county as first lieutenant of Co. A 23 Iowa Infantry and later was promoted to captain. He was wounded in the battle of Champion Hills, Mississippi and was a brave soldier during the rebellion. He leaves three daughters and their children, besides a brother H. D. Ballard of Douglas, Wyoming and three sisters, Mrs. H. H. Boyes and Mrs. H. R. Ferguson of Nevada, Iowa, and Mrs. O. M. Robbins of McCune, Kansas and numerous other relatives.

In his early years he was a very active and prominent young man. In the time when the Republicans of this country were striving for local mastery and had not yet obtained it he was in 1858 the Republican nominee for county clerk and was beaten by 20 votes. Three years later, however, he was elected county superintendent; but in the meantime the war was becoming bigger and he went out with the 23rd instead of qualifying in civil office. Again in 1864 there was a similar condition when the people elected him county clerk, but he staid with the 23rd and did not come home to qualify. He was a ready and entertaining writer, and the files of the Representative office show that he used to write very interesting letters home from the field, and in his later years he was also an occasional correspondent, his letters evidencing continued interest in the worlds affairs, even though his hand-writing had become distinctly trembly.

He had long been gone from Story county; but his people, his early interests and some of his best successors were here, and to this home his thoughts turned to this home in his closing years. He leaves not many behind him who served the people when and as he did and the few yet remaining here who knew him will join in the sentiment of "peace to his ashes."