Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Elkanah Ball

Elkanah Ball, farmer, was born in Granger County, Tenn. in 1825, a son of James and Clarissa (Rice) Ball, his father a native of Virginia, born in 1798, and his mother of South Carolina, born in 1797. They were married in Tennessee and five years later moved to Wayne County, Ind., and settled in Washington Township, where the father died July 23, 1848. He accumulated a good property, owning at the time of his death 260 acres of well-improved land. Both he and his wife were active members of the Baptist church. To them were born ten children; six are living — Thomas E., of Lewisville, Henry Co., Ind.: Benjamin T., residing near Spiceland; Elizabeth, widow of Robert C. Foster, who was killed at the battle of Richmond Mountain, Ky.; Mary, wife of John H. Walker, of Nebraska; Daniel R., of Nebraska, and Elkanah. William H., Emeretta and two infants are deceased.

Elkanah Ball was reared on a farm and his educational advantages were very limited. In 1846 he was married to Mary Farley, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Farley, of Henry County, Ind. She only lived a month after her marriage, and in 1847 Mr. Ball married Elizabeth A., daughter of Adam and Lettice Ream, of Wayne County. They had a family of nine children; four are living — D. M., of Nebraska; Mercy A., wife of William Green; Ira R., of Nebraska, and Mary E., wife of Omar Kirlin. James, Margarett P., James M., Clarissa J. and an infant are deceased.





Mrs. Ball died in 1877, and Mr. Ball subsequently married Mrs. Geraldine T. Severe, a widow of James Severe. They have one child — Maud.

In 1864 Mr. Ball enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry and served eight months. He receives a pension on account of disease contracted while in the service. He is a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is now living on one of Isaac Doddridge's farms, which he is carrying on successfully.

Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2