BALLORD, ESEK S.
One of the most prominent of the older generation of the citizens of Davenport is Esek Steere Ballord, who for upward of half a century has been connected with the business life here. During that time he conducted a drug store at one locality, although the firm name was changed several times, but more than that he has identified himself with those interests that are calculated to promote the intellectual and moral advancement of his fellow citizens. He is a descendant of a family for many years associated with the history of this country. The first of his name to settle upon American shores was William Ballard, from whom were descended in direct line Nathaniel, William, Zaccheus and Lynde, who was the grandfather of our subject. His son John was one of the first graduates from Colgate University and became a minister of the Baptist church. He wedded Miss Augusta Maria Gilman, who was descended from colonial ancestors, for Moses Gilman came from England in 1635, settling in what is now known as Hingham, Massachusetts.
Esek Steere Ballord was born in Bloomfield, Connecticut, July 26, 1830, and received his education at Bacon Academy. Later he went to Hartford, where he learned the drug business. Having attained a certain efficiency in what was to be his vocation he went to New York city, where he became an apothecary for a charitable institution. After two years' experirence there he went to Cleveland, Ohio, but remained only two years before he continued his western journey and came to Davenport. Here he engaged in the drug business, with which he was connected for forty-five years, dispensing healing medicines and other sundries at the same place throughout that period. The name was first Taylor & Ballord, but was later changed to E. S. Ballord & Company, by the admission of his cousin John W. Ballard. E. S. Ballord retired from the Company in 1903, when it was continued by John W. Ballard and his son Harry in the firm name of Ballard Drug & Dental Company. Upon retiring from active participation in the business, Mr. Ballord devoted himself to farming, for the estate he owns in Davenport is one of the largest in the city. It embraces six acres and is known as the Birches. There are in all thirty varieties of trees planted upon the grounds to enhance their beauty, many of them having been brought from Connecticut. While he never spared any means to advance his own prosperity, Mr. Ballord has found time to devote to other matters, for during a long period of years he occupied the position of trustee of the C. C. Cook Home for the Friendless and for a number of years was the president, vice president and director of the Davenport National Bank.
On September 4, 1862, Mr. Ballord was united in marriage to Miss Frances Webb, a daughter of Zerah Webb and a descendant in the eighth generation of Christopher Webb, of Braintree, Massachusetts. She is also a decendant in the seventh generation of Henry Adams, of Braintree and Quincy, Massachusetts, who was the ancestor of the two presidents, John and John Quicy Adams, and also of Samuel Adams. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ballord. Katharin Augusta is the wife of Leon M. Allen, passenger traffic manager of the Rock Island system, and they live in Kenilworth, Illoinis. They have three children, Leon, Priscilla and Francis. Bessie W. is a graduate of Wellesley College of the class of 1887. She has traveled widely abroad, but makes her home in Davenport. Belle became the wife of Jenness B. Richardson, who is manager of the Davenport Democrat. They have one son, John Adams. Webb Rysee wedded Gerttrude Jones, of San Francisco, and is a graduate of the Webb Naval Academy, but completed his education in Glasgow, Scotland. He is a naval architect by profession, and is now manager of Canon Lumber Company of Everett, Washington.
The family are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they take an active interest. Mr. Ballord belongs to the Iowa Sons of the Revolution and of the Colonial Wars. He was one of the founders of the Runnemede and a member of the New England Historical Society of Boston. With his daughter, Bessie W., he is a life member in the Davenport Academy of Science. He also took out a life membership certificate in the American Sunday School Union , as he was fully in sympathy with the principles which lay at the bottom of this organization. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, belonging to Trinity Lodge, No. 208. Mrs. Ballord belongs to the Mayflower and Colonial Dames through her descent from Governor William Bradford and John Alden and takes an active part both in the work of the local society and in the national body. Her daughters Katharin and Belle are also members of Colonial Dames. One of the more prominent families of Davenport, Mr. Ballord's home at 226 East Locust street, is frequently the scene of congenial gatherings of friends, in whose midst Mrs. Ballord shows that she is a hostess of charming qualities.
This bio was extracted from the History of Davenport and Scott County, Vol. I and II, by Harry E. Downer, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. It was transcribed by Debbie Clough Gerischer.