James M. Ballard

James M. Ballard  private  Co. H, 26th MO Inf 

James M. Ballard was born about 1827 in Washington county, Virginia and died July 18, 1893 ¹.  He's buried in the Seattle, Washington, GAR cemetery.  James' father is believed to be Moses Ballard, who was born Nov. 19, 1795 in Virginia and died July 13, 1870 in Osage county, Missouri ².  It is uncertain who James' mother was, but Sarah CALDWALDER is considered by J. B. Hitt (see source below) to be a possibility.

James M. Ballard came with his family to Missouri sometime between 1840 and 1850.  At the age of 22 he was working and living as a carpenter with his father in Benton township, Osage county, Missouri ³. 

Sometime around 1855 James got married, probably in Osage county.  Not much is known about the early life of his bride, except that her name was Susan and her middle initial was "A."  She was born in Missouri around 1837 making her about 17 years old when she got married to James.  By 1860 James was working at a mill grinding grain for the local farmers.  He and Susan were living near Medora and had 3 children at home ⁴:

When the Civil War broke out, the Ballard family was still living near Medora along the Missouri river.  Medora, founded about 1855, was fast becoming a troop staging point and base of military operations for Union troops.  With all of the activity and excitement caused by the recruitment of troops, James evidently felt it was his duty to join the army.  On October 21, 1861, James enlisted with men responding to the call made by George Boomer, later to become the Colonel of the 26th Missouri Volunteers. 

James was 34 years old at the time and recorded as 5 foot 5 3/4 inches tall.  He had black hair, blue eyes and a dark complexion.  At his enlistment, he had evidently left the mill where was working in 1860 and began farming.  James was assigned to a company commanded by John Koops and remained near Medora until January, 1862.  He was finally mustered into the service on January 8, 1862 and his company was designated as Company H of the 26th Missouri Volunteers.  Shortly afterwards, they were sent to St. Louis and combined with other companies of their regiment.  James remained with the regiment until they reached northern Mississippi and became ill.  His illness caused him to be discharged on Sept. 22, 1862 while he was at Corinth, Mississippi.  

He returned home to his family in Osage county and relocated in Crawford township near Linnwood, MO ⁵.  In the 1870 Federal Census, he was farming and living with his wife Susan A. age 32 and his children listed:

The difference in ages and names from the 1860 and 1870 Census records should be noted.  The age and location of birth James in both records are correct. 

1876 State Census Benton Twp.,  Osage Co.,  MO,  p. 75: Ballard Jas M. over 45, Susan 21 to 45.  America 18-21.  Ida and Clay 10 to 18.  Under 10: Charles, Kate, Mary A. and Nister.

After 1876 James and his family seem to no longer appear in Missouri records.  Sometime between that date and 1890 James M. Ballard migrated with his family to Washington territory and settled around the Seattle area.  He is listed in the 1890 Veteran's Census records in King county, Seattle enumeration district 38, Washington. ⁶

On July 18, 1893, James M. Ballard died in or near Seattle, Washington and is buried in the Seattle, Washington, GAR Cemetery.  The following photos were provided through the generous efforts of Nona Chitwood.

James M. Ballard's GAR marker

The following information was provided by Margaret H. Gentges
www.mindspring.com/~mgentges.  This link should launch a family group sheet in the form of a PDF file.  This family group sheet is of Moses Ballard, who is believed to be James M. Ballard's father.  PDF Formatted Group sheet.

Sources:

1.  Susan A. Ballard application for widow's pension, #580720, dated Aug. 9, 1893. Veteran's Pensions digital database, Ancestry.com Genealogical web site.  http://www.ancestry.com

2.  J. B. Hitt, family researcher's database posted on Rootsweb, http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jbh&id=I7537

3.  1850 U. S. Federal Census roll -432-408, for Benton township, Osage county, Missouri, page 462, dwelling 653, family 653, Nov. 2, 1850, 1860, Digital image from http://www.ancestry.com .image 27 of 30.

4.  1860 U. S. Federal Census for Benton township, Osage county, post office Medora, Missouri, page 189, dwelling 1447, family 1352, Aug. 11, 1860,  Digital image from http://www.ancestry.com .image 22 of 25.

5.  1870 U. S. Federal Census for Crawford township, Osage county, post office Linnwood, Missouri, page 95, dwelling 255, family 257, June 20, 1870, Digital image from http://www.ancestry.com .image 34 of 61.

6.  Family Archive CD #131, Veteran's Schedules: U. S. Selected States, 1890, King county, Seattle E. D. 38, page 1, Washington. Copywrite 1996 Broderbund Software Inc.