Hon. Gideon J. Ball and Emeline Hallenback

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Husband Hon. Gideon J. Ball ^{1 2}

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           Born: 29 Mar 1811 - Erie, Erie Co, PA 2
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         Father: Sheldon Ball (      -      ) 1 2
         Mother: Jane Sterrett (      -      ) 1 2

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Wife Emeline Hallenback ²

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Children

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1 F Helen Ball ²

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2 F Osie Ball ²

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3 F [Unk] Ball

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         Spouse: J. B. Brawley (      -      ) 3

         Spouse: George Burton (1829-      ) 2 4
           Marr: 1880 3

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4 M Charles E. Ball ²

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5 F Frank Ball ²

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General Notes: Husband - Hon. Gideon J. Ball

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In early life he acquired the art of the silversmith, and was one of the firm of Ball & Ford, which did business for some time on French street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Part of his early manhood was passed in Buffalo, New York. He returned to Erie and about the year 1836 was elected clerk of the town council, which position he held until he entered public life at Harrisburg. In 1847 he was elected to the legislature from Erie County, and re-elected in 1848. The election in 1848, under the leadership of Taylor as a candidate for president, caused a Whig majority on joint ballot in the State Legislature, and led to the election of a Whig State treasurer by the Legislature. To this responsible position Mr. Ball was elected in 1849, and he filled the place for one year. He was then appointed chief clerk of the sixth auditor of the postoffice department at Washington, and during most of the time was acting auditor. He returned to Erie and was elected a Representative to the Legislature from Erie County at the successive elections of 1853-4-5-6. During this time he changed his residence from the city to his farm in Mill Creek, on the West Eight street road, to the improvement of which he gave much time and thought. He returned to the city of Erie, and was again elected to the legislature in 1860, being his seventh election by the same constituency; each time with a different colleague. The questions to come before this Legislature were of momentous importance. Not only was the war foreshadowed by the election of Lincoln, but all the upheaval which would ensue. The repeal of the tonnage tax, and legislation for the completion of the Philadelphia R. R. were among the great measures to be considered. Mr. Ball's experience and parliamentary skill were needed. He obeyed the summons. At the organization of the Legislature he was offered the chairmanship of ways and means. He declined this honor, but took a leading part in the important legislation in this perhaps most momentous session of the Legislature since the existence of the Commonwealth. It was a gratification to himself and friends at the adjournment to feel that while every assistance had been furnished by the State in aid of the war, and, that the completion of the Philadelphia R. R. seemed so near at hand. After the adjournment of the Legislature he was appointed paymaster in the army, with the rank of major, and entered upon his duties. Having served through the war he returned to his home, but for some years performed the duties of an important land agency at Renovo, on the line of the Philadelphia and Erie R. R. Under the strain of his service in the war and the important work of his land office his health gave way. He struggled under repeated shocks, from each of which he emerged with less prospects of recuperation.

1 John Miller, 20th Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1909), Pg 19.

2 —, Nelson's Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Erie, PA: S. B. Nelson, Publisher, 1896), Pg 579.

3 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), Pg 873.

4 —, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1884), Pg 872.