USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 18
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purest kind, not only to their owner, but to all who chose to en- joy them. Now the hand that tended them and the heart that loved them, lie cold.
"But all this is past; in the quiet of his own chamber, with his loved ones around him, all his duties performed, his four score years roundly filled up with usefulness, with honor, with true com- pleteness, Franklin P. Randall, in peace with God and with man, passed beyond. On last Monday, as the newly rising sun set its bright rays over a sleeping earth, the spirit of a just man ascended to await in the presence of the Sun of Righteousness, the final sen- tence of his Heavenly Father, 'Well done, good and faithful ser- vant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' Peace to his ashes; to his soul the eternal peace of God, which passeth all understand- ing." The above tribute was written by the committee, John S. Irwin, W. L. Carnahan and S. B. Bond, and Rev. A. W. Seabrease, rector.
The Rev. A. W. Seabrease, preaching on the following Sun- day morning on "Our Lord's Ascension," said:
"Christ returned to heaven because it was his home. It was his father's house. He was going to prepare a place for all who should believe in him in every age and everywhere. His meaning interprets itself to each one of us. For all of us 'there is no place like home,' be it 'ever so humble.' But our true home is that place whither our dear Lord has gone. Is there not something to draw us up thither? Some loved one of the household gone before? Some reverend friend, some Christian man or woman whose ex- ample we would follow in life, and in seeking that city which hath the eternal foundations, whose builder and maker is God ?
""'Gone home.' Who, friends, here today is not thinking of that one of our family of faith who has 'gone home' after all earthly sojourn of four score years to occupy the mansion that Christ told his faithful disciples He was going before to prepare for them that where He was they might also be? 'His hoary head a crown of glory,' 'his eye not dim, nor the natural foree of his intellect abated,' the revered senior warden of our parish has entered into rest. 'He is not dead, but sleepeth.' Who can doubt but that he shall receive a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand. We shall miss his splendid presence, his quiet, unassuming dig- nity, his devout, reverent bearing, his hearty, earnest, audible voice in worship, but his influence will live with us for good, a blessed memory, a noble inspiration.
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"Franklin P. Randall held the Christian faith in its fullness, definiteness and integrity. This was the secret of his beautiful and consistent life. So certain was he of the things which he believed and proved by his life as all sufficient that he had no patience with the 'will-o'-the-wisp' vagaries of uncertain and rest- less minds, ever seeking for some new thing. To him the old was better. His faith was 'reasonable, religious and holy,' grounded upon the reaching of Holy Scriptures and the book of Common Prayer. He died as he had lived, 'in communion with the church, in favor with his God, and in charity with the world.' The city papers have told you the story of his public life and services. His earnest friends who knew him well have spoken in the fulness of knowledge and affection, in the minute of the vestry that has just been read to you, of his religious character as they have seen it passing before them, for lo, these many years. A single flower is left for me, his pastor, to lay upon his tomb. We loved him well for his many virtues and his beautiful life. For forty-one years he served this parish as vestryman and church warden. For thirty-seven of these years he was a faithful communicant at the church altar. The last time he knelt here was on the first Sun- day of the present month, the day of the bishop's visitation. His last communion was in company with twenty-two others who then received their first. A sweet and blessed memory for them to treasure, even looking forward to the consummation of bliss, when, following his example of faithfulness in life, they shall drink with him the fruit of the vine afresh in Christ's everlasting kingdom.
"It was Mr. Randall's custom to gather his family daily in household worship. This he did till the end eame. On the day before his death, when, too feeble to kneel in prayer, with folded hands and bowed head, he commended himself and his to the Heavenly Father's care. When the Master eame, in the early dawn of the first day of the week, he was ready to say with Simeon of old, 'Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, ac- cording to Thy word.' His work was finished. His life was well rounded out, and he was ready to 'go home.' Our dear friend and brother has set us a noble example to follow. He has left a sweet memory for all who remain to cherish. He has bequeathed to his children even to the remotest generation an inheritance more precious than that of rubies. The day goes past of the Christian struggle, the clouds become less dense, streaks of golden have ap-
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peared in the west; 'At eventide it shall be light.' 'I believe in the resurrection of the body. I believe in the life everlasting.'"
From the Fort Wayne News we quote the following: "Death has entered the Randall homestead. At sunrise this morning, Hon. Franklin P. Randall, Fort Wayne's war mayor and the most prominent figure in local political eireles of a quarter of a century ago, breathed his last, surrounded by his wife, his daughters and those sons who are now residents of this city. Hlad Mr. Randall lived until Thursday of next week he would have completed his four score years. He had been in feeble health, though not in a critical condition, for several years, and has been failing quite rapidly during the past few days. He was remarkably well pre- served, both as to bodily and mental vigor, and nothing pleased him better during his later years than to recount incidents of the early history of Fort Wayne, concerning which he possessed prob- ably more definite data than any citizen among us. He was mayor of the city during the entire period of the war, and no more loyal man was found in Indiana in those trying days. He encouraged the enlistment of troops throughout all northern Indiana, and his broad sympathies were profoundly touched and his energies al- ways actively exerted in the direction of securing every possible contribution for the comfort and happiness of our boys in the field. He was a Democrat of the old school, born, bred and reared a Democrat; and yet he was so upright, so fair and altogether so affable and genial, that he always retained the respect of his political adversaries. In private life he was a Christian gentle- man, a fond husband, an indulgent father, a royal friend and an honored citizen. His is nearly the last of the names of the grand men, who, like Samuel Hanna, Allen Hamilton, Jesse L. Williams, turned the primeval forest of a half century ago into the prosper- ous city of today. The memory of F. P. Randall will long be cher- ished by others than those to whom he was endeared by ties of kinship."
The Fort Wayne Sentinel had this to say: " 'Hon. F. P. Randall is dead!' Such was the news that came to the ears and saddened the hearts of our citizens as they entered their various places of business and work this morning. The old war mayor, the honored pioneer citizen whom everybody loved and respected, ripe in years, had passed away, having died at his residence, No. 409 East Berry street, shortly after five o'clock this morning.
"The news of his death was a matter of surprise to everybody,
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for it was not known that he was seriously ill. Mr. Randall had been in vigorous health until last winter when he suffered from a severe attack of la grippe, which had left him in rather enfeebled health ever since. He had recovered, however, and was about on the streets, but had been more or less confined to his house since his siekness last winter, suffering from spells when respiration was difficult and painful, and it was during one of these attacks that death occurred. He has spent most of his time during the last few weeks in his big armchair, reading and conversing with friends who called to see him, but moved about the house and fre- quently ventured out into the yard. Last night he retired to his bed early and arose this morning, as was his custom, shortly be- fore five o'clock. He dressed himself, but had no sooner done so when he felt one of his attacks when respiration was difficult com- ing on him. His physician was summoned, but before his arrival, however, Mr. Randall expired, dying shortly after five o'clock, surrounded by the following members of his family: Mrs. F. P. Randall, Mrs. Clark Fairbank, Mrs. Dr. J. C. Downs, Irwin Ran- dall and Clark Fairbank. The other children of the deceased besides those mentioned above, are Mrs. George B. Dougan, of Richmond, Indiana, the oldest; Frank M. Randall, the city civil engineer of this city, A. L. Randall and George E. Randall and David J. Randall, of New York City.
"In the death of Hon. Franklin P. Randall, Fort Wayne loses one of her most honored citizens, a man who was universally loved and esteemed and who was closely identified with the city's history, for he was ever a prominent man. In ten days, on the 2d day of next month, he would have been eighty years old, an event that he himself, the members of his family, and our citizens generally, looked forward to with a great deal of pleasure, for preparations were in progress to make the occasion a memorable one, but death came and removed this grand old man from our midst; but neither death nor time can efface his memory or detract from the honors which his years of usefulness had won him.
"The home of Mr. Randall, on East Berry street, is a palatial one and during his life was always open for the entertainment of his many friends, and many were the occasions when the Randall mansion was the scene of joyful happy gatherings.
"About the early history of Fort Wayne none knew more than Mr. Randall. The events of the past were firmly fixed in his memory, and the writer of this frequently had occasion to consult
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him in regard to such data. He always loved to give such in- formation and treated newspaper men with courtesy. They learned to love and will mourn the death of this pioneer citizen.
"For a number of years past Mr. Randall has been leading a quiet life, busying himself with his plants."
We quote from the Warsaw Times as follows: "Hon. F. P. Randall, ex-mayor of Fort Wayne, died at his home in that city on Monday morning. The deceased was a prominent and widely known citizen of that place, and was the war mayor of Fort Wayne, a position which, in a city wherein so many of its people were utterly and wholly disloyal to the government and opposed to putting down the rebellion, was neither a sinecure nor a pleas- ant one to occupy during those bitter, fierce days when brother was arrayed against brother and father against son. There were times when Fort Wayne was harder to govern, with eivil authorities, than was Louisville or Nashville, where there was always military help at hand; but during all that trying period Mayor Randall was found to be the man for the place, and his wisdom and un- tiring vigilance more than once averted a local contest between the citizens of the town. The deceased has always been known as authority on the early and Indian history of Fort Wayne and vicinity. He lacked only a few days of being eighty years of age, and his life covered a period fraught with much that was of deep and abiding interest to the people of the whole country. In all this he bore himself as a patriotic, upright citizen, looking and working only for the good of all. During his life Mayor Randall filled many positions of honor and trust, and bore himself up- rightly wherever he was called. A good man has gone to his reward and his people will mourn and miss him
"The funeral of the late Hon. F. P. Randall took place yes- terday afternoon. The pall bearers were: Active, Frank M. Ran- dall, Irwin Randall, George E. Randall, Alfred L. Randall, James R. Meriwether, W. Reid Dougan, Dr. John C. Downs and Clark Fairbank; honorary, A. P. Edgerton, J. S. Erwin, William Jones. William T. Abbott and P. A. Randall. The funeral cortege was a long one and was led by a squad of police followed by municipal officers and friends of the deceased."
JOHN WILLIAM BALLARD, M. D.
It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that have moved a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can be done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under consideration. In view of this fact the life of the distinguished physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking ex- ample of well defined purpose with the ability to make that pur- pose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor Ballard long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual disci- pline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional train- ing and thorough mastery of technical knowledge with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field. of endeavor Doctor Ballard achieved success such as few attain and his eminent standing among the leading medical men of Indiana was duly recognized and appreciated not only in Logansport, the city long honored by his residence, but also throughout the north- ern part of the state. In addition to his long and creditable career in one of the most useful and exacting of professions he also proved an honorable member of the body politic; rising in the confidence and esteem of the public, and in every relation of life he never fell below the dignity of true manhood nor in any way resorted to methods and wiles that invited criticism or censure. He was essentially a man among men, having ever moved as one who commanded respect by innate force as well as by superior ability. As a citizen he easily ranked with the most influential of his compeers in affairs looking toward the better- ment of his chosen city and county. His course was ever above suspicion and those who were favored with an intimate acquaint- ance with him were ever profuse in their praise of his manly virtues and upright character, that of the true gentleman.
Dr. John William Ballard was born in March, 1854, near Delphi, Carroll county, Indiana, and he was the son of Anson and Mary (Hornbeck) Ballard. The father came to Carroll county
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from Kentucky when a young man and was one of the carly set- tlers of the last-named county. IIe was a hard-working, honest and hospitable gentleman who became very well established through his long years of persistent toil as a general farmer and stoek raiser.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anson Ballard, namely: Margaret; Anna, who is deceased; Susan; John William, who is the subject of this memoir; Charles N. and Emma.
John W. Ballard grew up on his father's farm and when he became of proper age he assisted with the general work on the same, building up a robust constitution thereby. During the win- ter months he attended the district schools, later the Battle Ground Academy, in Tippecanoe county, thus laying a good foundation for his later higher education. From boyhood he had fostered an ambition to enter the medical profession and with this end in view he matriculated as a student in the Olio Medical College in Cincinnati, from which he graduated in due course of time. In order to defray the expenses of a medical course he taught school and thus paid his own way through college. He was a self-made man in the best sense of the term. His father, having a large family to support, could not give the subject much assistance in starting out in life.
After his graduation Doctor Ballard began the practice of medicine in Lewisburg, Indiana, where he soon built up a very satisfactory practice. He then went to Lockport, where he spent two years with increased success, then moved to Logansport about 1881, where he remained until his death, having enjoyed a lucra- tive and ever-growing practice and taking a high rank among the medical men of the city and county, his reputation being not un- known in adjoining counties and remote localities of this part of the state. He had great success as a general practitioner and kept well abreast of the times in all that pertained to his profes- sion. He was frequently called in consultation on serious cases and his advice was invariably followed with gratifying results.
Taking an interest in public affairs and being popular with the masses, Doctor Ballard was clected county coroner of Cass county and he served with such superior ability and fidelity that he was re-elected three times, thus serving four terms in this important office, giving the utmost satisfaction to all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. But he was not a politician, and never sought to be a publie man, preferring to devote his
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attention exclusively to his chosen profession. lle was an active member of a number of medical associations and stood high in the same. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he very worthily upheld the sublime precepts of both.
Doetor Ballard was also prominent in the business life of Logansport. During the last years of his life he became interested in Florida land development and devoted considerable time to that enterprise. In fact, his large practice did not prevent him from becoming one of the most energetic, industrious and progres- sive business men of his chosen city, and by that industry he accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods to provide eom- fort in his declining years and leaving his family well provided for. Besides his commodious and substantial residence, he owned other property in Logansport of much value, and he was rated as one of the city's substantial citizens.
On November 4, 1876, Dr. John W. Ballard was joined in matrimony with Mary E. Milroy, a lady of many estimable char- aeteristies and a daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Conover) Milroy. Her father was brought by his parents to Carroll county, Indiana, when he was about two years old. He was the son of Gen. Samuel and Martha (Houston) Milroy. General Milroy was one of the prominent men of this state in the early days of its history and for many years was a leader in military and civic affairs. He was one of the framers of Indiana's constitution. His wife, known in her maidenhood as Martha Houston, was a cousin of Gen. Sam Houston, a noted character in Texas history preceding the Mexican war.
To Dr. Ballard and wife three sons were born, named as follows: Samuel M., who has spent much of his life in the West, is a graduate of the University of Utah; he is a mining engineer by profession and is an expert in that line; he married Ruth Paull, and they at present reside in the state of Idaho. Dr. Charles A. Ballard, the second child of the subject, followed in the footsteps of his father in a professional way and is at this writing one of the best known of Logansport's younger physicians; he married Nina M. Douglass and they are the parents of one son, Charles D. Bal- lard. John W. Ballard, Jr., the youngest of the subject's children, is also preparing himself for a physician and is now a student in the medical department of the University of California. These children all had the advantages of liberal educations and excellent
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home training and they are all young men of much promise and stand high in the cireles in which they move wherever they are known.
The summons which ushered in the eternal rest for Dr. John W. Ballard came to him suddenly and without warning and he passed away on September 9, 1911, at his beautiful residence, No. 100 East Market street, Logansport, Indiana, after a success- ful, honorable and highly commendable career, at the age of fifty- seven years. He had practiced in Logansport for a period of thirty-five years, during which time he saw and took part in the great growth of the same. He was a man of particularly robust appearance and genial demeanor and made friends wherever he went. His funeral was very largely attended and burial was made in his home city.
WILLIAM GILMAN SLOAN.
Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience, that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The individual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a successful man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possession. But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, controlled by correct principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a place of honor among his fellow citizens achieves suc- cess such as representatives of the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent the late William Gilman Sloan, of Indianapolis, was a ereditable repre- sentative of the last named class, a member of that sterling type which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to the stability of our government and its institutions. He was a man of many sterling characteristics of head and heart and among his contemporaries it would be hard to find a record as replete with toilsome duty faithfully and uneomplainingly performed in all the walks of life, while his career in the humble sphere of private citizenship was such as to recommend him to the favorable consideration of the best people of the eity and county where he long maintained his residenee.
William G. Sloan was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, on June 21, 1837, the scion of a sturdy old pioneer family, being the son of William and Deboralı (Stansbery) Sloan, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of New Jersey, from which state she came to Ohio with her parents as a child. The Sloans were farmers in the Buckeye state in the early days of its settlement. William and Deborah Sloan moved to Montgomery county, In- diana, at an early date, later coming to Marion county and estab- lishing their permanent home in Franklin township at what is now known as "Five Points," where they had a large tract of land, and there the death of the subject's mother occurred, Will- iam G. Sloan later moving to Irvington, a suburb of Indianapolis,
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where he died. The farm remained in the Sloan family until the year 1910. The handsome residence which they erected still stands as a monument to the elder Sloan's thrift and energy.
William G. Sloan, of this memoir, was a child when he accom- panied his parents from Montgomery to Marion county, and he grew up to manhood at "Five Points" and received his early education in the district schools. He remained with his parents, assisting with the general work on the home place, until he was married, with the exception of one year which he spent in Iowa.
On October 20, 1860, occurred the marriage of William G. Sloan and Melissa Elizabeth Leonard, after which they lived on the farm for a time, then moved to Indianapolis in 1864, locating on Bates street, then the leading residence district of the city, where they bought a house in which they remained three years, then purchased a large tract of land at the corner of McCarty and Sullivan streets, now known as Wright street, and they erected four dwellings on McCarty street and two on Sullivan street, and there they resided for a period of sixteen years. They then spent six years on a farm in Putnam county, Indiana, after which Mr. Sloan sold out and retired from active farm life and returned to Indianapolis, making his residence opposite Garfield Park on Shelby street, where he bought a place and remained two years, then returned to the old Sloan farm, where he spent the rest of his days, being summoned to close his eyes on earthly scenes July 10, 1897. Afterwards Mrs. Sloan and family returned to their present residence, No. 2440 Shelby street, in January, 1910.
Mr. Sloan was a very successful business man and he believed in doing well whatever he undertook. In his earlier years he was employed for a time by the railroads, but his principal business was in real estate, in which he made a number of important deals. As an agriculturist he ranked with the most progressive of his neighborhood and he took much pride in keeping the old home- stead at "Five Points" in first class condition.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sloan three sons were born, namely: John William died when fourteen months old; Robert Rosecrans mar- ried Matilda Emma Woesner, and Alfred F.
Mr. Sloan was a worthy member of the Missionary Baptist church. He never entered politics to any appreciable degrec, nor affiliated with club or fraternal organizations, preferring to devote his attention to his business affairs and his family, and he was never happier than when by his own fireside.
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