Mahalia Catherine (Spencer) Ballard (1855-1928)

SPENCER, BALLARD, CLARK, RYAN, ROBERTSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal April 20, 1928 (page 3)

Mrs. Elias Ballard Was a Real Pioneer

Mrs. Elias Ballard, 73, who recently died at her home in Ames, was one of the real pioneer women of that part of the county, having come here in 1856, having made the trip here from Ohio with her parents in a "prairie schooner."

The following obituary was read at her funeral, held at Ames previous to interment in the cemetery at that place:

Mahala Catherine Spencer was born April 4, 1855, in Franklin county, Ohio near Columbus and departed this life at her home in Ames, April 4, 1928 at the age of 73 years. Coming to Iowa in the spring of 1866 with her parents, Isaac and Mary Clark Spencer. She was united in marriage to Elias Ballard Dec. 4, 1876. To this union was born six sons and two daughters all living. George of Grinnell, Will of Maxwell, Adam, Walter, John, Bert and Mrs. Orie Ryan of Ames and Mrs. Lottie Robertson of Story City.

Mrs. Ballard with her husband moved to Ames in the spring of 1920 where she resided until her death. She leaves besides her husband and eight children, 36 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. When a girl she became a member and attended the Methodist church of Nevada. She also leaves three sisters and two brothers. The funeral was held April 6 at 2 o'clock at the Adams funeral home in Ames. Burial in Ames cemetery.

Mrs. Ballard was a woman of quiet disposition being devoted to her home and family and will be greatly missed by them. Her death is the first break in the family tie and while we sorely miss her from the family circle, we bow in submission to One who doeth all things for the best, realizing out loss is her gain.