Ellen Jane Ballard
Aug. 11, 1837-April 5, 1912
Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, April 6, 1912, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
MRS. ELLEN J. BALLARD
Her death terminates a long and useful life
Mrs. Ellen J. Ballard, whose death occurred at her home southwest of the city April 5th, was born Aug. 11, 1837, near Moccasin Bluff, north of Buchanan, at a time when the neighbors were mostly Indians, and the bear, deer and wolf were still plentiful in the woods about her home.
When she was a little child her parents, Arvin and Clarissa Sprague Chapman moved to Ohio, but not being satisfied with that location soon returned, making the trip both ways by wagon.
Several years of her early life were spent at the log house on the little farm by the St. Joseph river, below Moccasin Bluff, and the rest of her girlhood was spent in Niles, where she was married to Milton M. Ballard April 17, 1855.
In 1857 they moved to the farm, which her husband and his brother, Otis W. bought and which has ever since been her home.
On Dec. 21, 1871 her husband died.
Her life was devoted to her family and friends, to many of whom, the days spent with her at "The Farm" are among their dearest recollections.
Of her four boys, Edward M., Fred, Harry and Ralph, three survive her.
Fred Ballard of Berwyn, Ill., and Harry and Ralph, who together with their uncle, Otis W. conduct the farm.
Besides the children there are five grandchildren who will miss her, Mary Esther, Edward M., Frances and Alice of Berwyn, Ill., and Donald T., of Niles.
Of her six brothers and sisters, four are left, Mrs. Clara Griswold of Niles, Mrs. Alice J. Anderson and Mrs. Emma Brookfield of Oakland, Calif., and Frank Chapman of Delta, Colo.
The funeral will be held from the home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Same appeared in Niles Daily Star, Saturday, April 6, 1912, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library under headline "SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. ELLEN J. BALLARD, An Old and Respected Citizen of Niles Passes Away."