Otis Warren Ballard
Dec. 21, 1833-Feb. 18, 1930
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Wednesday, February 19, 1930, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
OTIS W. BALLARD, 97, DIES ON FARM WHERE HE HAD LIVED 78 YEARS
With Brother, Wilton M. Ballard, He Established Pioneer Orchard
Otis Warren Ballard, 97, one of the oldest residents of Berrien county, died last evening at his home on Ballard Hill, Chicago road, after several months of illness.
Mr. Ballard was born in Lebanon, N.Y., on Dec. 21, 1833. In 1852 with his family he came to Michigan and they bought and settled on the farm southwest of Niles in the Chicago road which has been the family home since. At the time of his death he had lived on the farm for 78 years, an unusual record for continual residence in one place.
With his brother Milton M. Ballard, the father of Harry and Ralph Ballard, he planted on e of the first commercial orchards in the Michigan Fruit belt. They were engaged in planting the orchard at the time the news of Lincoln's assissination[sic] was received here. Mr. Ballard's first vote was cast for John C. Fremont. Throughout his life he was an ardent and consistent worker in the prohibition movement, having witnessed every step from the days when nearly every store in Niles carried liquor to the passage of the 18th amendment.
Mr. Ballard had never married. He is survived by his nephews, Harry and Ralph Ballard and Herbert Freed, of Niles, Fred Ballard of Berwyn, Ill., and by two neices[sic], Mrs. Henry L. French, of Portland, Ore., and Mrs. William Brown of Aromas, Calif.
The funeral services will be held in the Ballard home on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in Silver Brook cemetery. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will conduct the services.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Saturday, February 22, 1930, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles News in Brief: FUNERAL OTIS BALLARD
Funeral services for Otis Ballard were held on Friday afternoon in the farm home on the Niles-Chicago road where he had lived for 78 years. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church conducted the services. Old neighbors acted as pallbearers. Burial was made in Silver Brook cemetery.. Mr. Ballard died on Tuesday evening at the age of 97 years.