Joseph D. Ball

As printed in 1894

JOSEPH D. BALL, a farmer of Saratoga Township, residing on section 9, is a native of New York. He was born in Chautauqua County, on the 14lh of November, 1843, and was six years of age at the time of his parents' removal to McKean County, Pa. There he grew to manhood and in its public schools acquired his education. He started out in life for himself when sixteen years of age, and from that time forward has been dependent on his own resources, so that the success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts.

Mr. Ball was found among the defenders of his country during the late war. He watched with interest the progress of events which preceded that struggle, and his sympathies were all with the Union, so that when the attempt at secession was made he resolved to stand by the Government, and hardly had the smoke from Ft. Sumter cleared away when, on the 21st of April, 1861, he responded to the call for three-months troops. He was assigned to Company A, McLean's Erie Regiment, and was stationed at Pittsburg during his first term. On the expiration of the three months he re-enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fiftietli Pennsylvania Infantry, known as the Pennsylvania "Bucktails," or sharpshooters. This was in August, 1862, and he was mustered into service at Harrisburg, Pa. The first engagement of the regiment was at Fredericksburg, which was followed by the battle of Chancellorsville and that most important battle of the war, Gettysburg. There Mr. Ball was wounded by a mine-ball, a shot entering his right arm. He was taken to the field hospital, and thence sent to a hospital in Philadelphia, where he was forced to remain from July, 1863, until May, 1864. He was then placed on detached duty and went to Washington, where he served as an Orderly until the close of the war. His services being then no longer needed, he was honorably discharged, on the 29th of June, 1865.

Mr. Ball at once returned to his home in the Keystone State, where he remained until March, 1866, when he came to Winona County and located in Saratoga Township. For two years he rented land, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, which he subsequently sold, and bought the farm upon which he has since made bis_bome. This was an improved farm, and Mr. Ball applied himself to its cultivation until September, 1894, when he sold out for the purpose of retiring from active farming. Success attended his efforts, and he not only placed his land under a high state of cultivation, but also added to it until he had three hundred and three acres, all in one body.

On Christmas Day of 1867 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ball and jNIiss Augusta F. Smith, daughter of Tlioraas S. and Julia A. (Scott) Smith, who were natives of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., the former born June 30, 1824, and the latter March 13, 1825. The paternal grandfather, John Smith, was a native of England, and came to America when a child of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith married November 23, 1845, and became the parents of seven children: James D., who is engaged in the butchering business in Humboldt, Iowa; Augusta F., now Mrs. Ball; Julia A., wife of Edgar Howes, a resident of Ellington, Iowa; John T., who is living with his parents;

William W. A., who is engaged in the butchering busirjess in Fertile, Iowa; Weallliy A., wife of Stephen Streeper, who makes his home in Ellington, Iowa; and one who died in infancy. The father of this family wasa blacksmith and cooper by trade. He made his home in New York until 1851, when, by way of the Lakes, he went to Milwaukee and thence drove across the country to Freeport, Iowa, where he established a blacksmith and cooper shop. There he carried on business for ten years, after which he purchased a farm in Hancock County, Iowa, where he now makes his home. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, but leaves its cultivation to his son, while he lives retired. He is a Republican in politics, has served as a member of the Board of Supervisors, and is a highly respected citizen.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ball have been born three children, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Monroe, the eldest, is a resident farmer of Saratoga Township; Nellie is the wife of Edwin Smith, who resides in St. Charles, where he is engaged in clerking in a store; Dwight, who complete the family, is still at home. The parents are prominent and highly esteemed citizens of the community, and their friends in this locality are many.

Mr. Ball has always affiliated with the Republican party, and by his ballot supports its men and measures, but has never been an aspirant for office, his time and attention being fully occupied by his business interests, in which he has prospered. Socially, he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and with the Grand Army of the Republic. He manifests a commendable interest in public affairs, especially those calculated to promote the general welfare, and is as true to his duties of citizenship in times of peace as in days of war. His record as a soldier is an honorable one, for he valiantly followed the Old Flag on many a Southern battlefield, and even after disabled for active service stood by his country until the Stars and Stripes were victoriously planted in the capital of the confederacy.

Samuel Brammer.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.