A descendant of good Welsh ancestry, John Ball, of Farmersville,
inherited traits of mind and character that have materially assisted him
in the attainment of the responsible position he holds in the community.
As a farmer, banker and business man he has won unquestioned standing,
his success being due to his indomitable energy and will. At an early
age, he was imbued with a laudable ambition to win an honorable place
among his fellow men. He was born in South Wales, October 19. 1842, a
son of Richard McLothlin and Maria (Evans) Ball. The father came to
Virden, Macoupin county, Illinois, with his family, in 1855, and entered
the meat business but died the year following, leaving a widow, thirteen
children and one adopted child.
John Ball was educated in his
native country and arrived in Illinois at the age of thirteen. In 1858,
three years after the death of his father, he came with his mother and
other members of the family to the old Thomas farm, east of Virden,
where he continued until 1867. He then took up his residence on a farm
in Girard township, three miles east of Girard, which was his home for
forty years. He applied himself so diligently that, as the years passed,
he acquired six hundred acres of land in this and Montgomery counties.
He engaged in general farming upon a large scale, making a specialty of
stock-raising, handling horses, cattle and sheep for the market, in
which he was unusually successful. In 1907, he moved to Farmersville
where he has since resided. In 1892, he organized the bank of John Ball
& Company at Farmersville, of which he has since been president. This is
a well established institution which under able and conservative
management has flourished from the start. He was also interested in the
banking business with Hamilton Metcalf of Girard. He was president of
the Grange store at Girard and from the time of its organization,
thirty-five years ago, has been treasurer of the Farmers’ Mutual
Insurance Company, being also president of the Dairy Association of
Girard. He has displayed excellent judgment in business and financial
affairs, and his advice is often sought by persons desiring to make safe
investments.
In 1867, in Greene county, Mr. Ball was married to
Miss Jane E. Witt, a daughter of Randolph and Polly (Tunnell) Witt, the
former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Greene county.
Mrs. Witt was the first white child born north of Macoupin Creek in that
county. Mrs. Ball is also a granddaughter of Eli Witt and Calvin
Tunnell, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are
the parents of five children: Clarence Henry, a resident of Arkansas;
Elbert Witt, who makes his home in Farmersville and is cashier of the
Farmersville Bank; Agnes, who married C. M. Simonson, of Farmersville;
Allen Jackson, of Girard township; and Amy Jane, who is living at home.
They also have seven grandchildren of whom they are justly proud.
Religiously, Mr. Ball is identified with the Episcopal church;
politically, he adheres to the republican party, being a stancb believer
in its principles as essential to the perpetuity of the country. He has
never aspired to public office, but served as supervisor of Girard
township and also as member of the school board. He belongs to Lodge No.
171, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of Chapter No. 131, R. A. M.
Socially, he is identified with the Sangamon Club of Springfield. A man
of striking personality and of recognized ability, he has wisely
utilized his talents and has been an important factor in the development
of this section. Of him it may be said that he has helped others not
only by his advice and material assistance but by the potent influence
of a noble example. He richly deserves the prosperity he now enjoys.
Extracted 17 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 529-530.
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