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Below is a family biography included in The History of Sebastian County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Harrison Ball, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Davidson County, N. C., February 20, 1841, and is the son of William and Rebecca (Essex) Ball, and grandson of Spencer and Susannah (Hawkins) Ball. Spencer Ball was born in England in 1753, and when young came with his parents to America, and located in Greenville County, Va. The grandmother was born in Germany, and was brought to America by her parents when small. Spencer Ball went to North Carolina when a young man; was there married to his first wife, who bore him four children. After the death he married the mother of William Ball. She was at that time the widow of Mr. Bradley, and by her union to Mr. Ball became the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters. She had a daughter by her first marriage. This wife died, and Mr. Ball then married Mrs. Margaret Barker. He was a farmer by occupation, was an old-line Whig, and lived to be seventy-seven years of age. William, the only one of the family now living, was born in Rowan County, N. C., August 25, 1815, was reared on a farm, and never went to school a day in his life. When about eighteen years of age he began learning the blacksmith trade, but after working at the same for about eighteen months his eyes gave out, and he was obliged to abandon the business. He then turned his attention to farming. In 1837 he married Miss Rebecca Essex, who was born in Davidson County, N. C., January 25, 1820. Her father was a Revolutionary soldier. To Mr. and Mrs. Ball were born eight children: Lucy A., Harrison, Franklin, Margaret E., Henderson, Martha R., John E. and Rhoda C. Curing the latter part of the war William Ball served about six months in the Confederate army under conscript. He lived in North Carolina until 1867, when he came to this county and settled on the place where he now lives. He is the owner of 150 acres of land, with about forty acres under cultivation. He was a Whig until that party went down, since which time he has been a Republican. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Their son, Harrison Ball, was reared a farmer’s boy, and received a very limited education. He remained at home until August, 1862, when he was conscripted in the Confederate army, and served until March, 1865, when he decided to serve that cause no longer. He deserted while on picket, under the fire of his own comrades, and went north. He stopped in Pulaski County, Ill., and there, November 15, 1865, he married Miss Ann Harper, a native of West Tennessee, but a resident of Arkansas, where she had gone for protection. In 1866 Mr. Ball and wife removed to Sebastian County, and have since made it their home. They are the parents of one child, Lizzie (deceased), wife of J. F. Stewart. Mr. Ball has an adopted child, Minnie L. Ball. Mr. Ball is the owner of 240 acres, of which about 120 are under cultivation; he is a member of the Masonic order, and is a Republican in his politics. Mrs. Ball is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ball has been a resident of this county for twenty-two years, and although he has no children of his own, he takes a great interest in schools and other worthy enterprises.

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This family biography is one of 217 biographies included in The History of Sebastian County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Sebastian County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sebastian County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sebastian County, Arkansas

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