R. W. "RUSS" BALLARD (1826-1907)

BALLARD

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/21/2010 at 00:43:27

Roland Record
29 August 1907

Howard Pioneer Passes Away

R. W. Ballard, One of Howard Township's Oldest Settlers Passes Away at the Ripe Old Age of Eighty Years

R. W. Ballard, better known as "Russ" Ballard, died at Story City, August 19, 1907 after having been in failing health for a couple of years. Mr. Ballard was born in Smyrna, New York, December 24, 1826, and was at his death 80 years, 7 months and 25 days old.

In 1841, he moved with his parents to Ohio, where he remained until 1845 when he moved to Illinois. In 1857 he moved still further west and finally settled on the farm on which he lived till a couple weeks before his death. "Russ" was one of the earliest settlers of this township and went through the many hardships that so many of our old citizens tell about. Some of the old pioneers, who attended the funeral of their old time neighbor from here, are F. P. Sheldahl, Ole Rasmussen, Lars Hegland, O. O. Hegland and possibly others. Not very many of the old settlers are now living, and their ranks are fast thinning out.

The funeral services were held last Thursday at Story City after which the interment took place in the Sheffield cemetery, southwest of here and only a short distance from his old homestead. A large number of friends of the deceased at this place attended the funeral. The sorrowing ones have the sympathy of all who knew the old gentleman, who helped make this part of the country what it is today.