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Mathews-Williams Family Genealogy
Notes
The Ball family gravestone at Oak Hill Cemetery in Carrollton, Missouri, has a quote for Harry Leland Ball that reads as follows: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee".
Peter Austin is buried in Virginia, 100 yards west of Virginia Route 711, and .6 miles south of US Route 460.
James Turner Austin is buried under a National Monument in Taos, New Mexico.
From "Kansas City, Missouri: Its History and Its People, 1800-1908", Vol. II, by Carrie Westlake Whitney, published by the S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908, pages 639-641:Robert Edward Ball, former president of the Kansas City Bar Association and recognized as one of the able members of a bar which has numbered many distinguished representatives, was born in Carroll County, Missouri, February 11, 1858. In the paternal line he is descended from ancestors who, emigrating from Europe in the early part of the seventeenth century, settled in Northumberland County, Virginia, near Chesapeake Bay. The descendants are now numerous there, scarcely a township in Northumberland or Lancaster counties that does not number one or more representatives of the Ball family. David Ball, the father of our subject, was born February 6, 1831, near Epping Forest, which was the birthplace of Mary Ball, who became the mother of George Washington. George Ball, from whom our subject is descended, was a brother of Mary Ball's grandfather. David Ball became a farmer and livestock dealer, devoting the years of an active business career to those pursuits. He married Lucy J. Austin, a native of Bedford County, Virginia, although they had left the Old Dominion during childhood days and became residents of Carroll County, Missouri, where they were married and reared their family.
Robert Edward Ball is indebted to the public school system of his native county for the early educational advantages which he enjoyed and which were supplemented by study in Central College at Fayette, Missouri, where he won the degree of Master of Arts upon his graduation with the class of 1880. He was an exemplary student, displaying special aptitude in mastering various branches of learning and winning a number of medals - one for scholarship, one for oratory, and one for the best college paper. During the latter part of his course he also acted as tutor and following his graduation was principal of the preparatory department in 1880 and 1881. He regarded teaching, however, only as a side issue that enabled him to prepare for the bar, for he had determined to make the practice of law his life work. His early reading was pursued in the office and under the direction of Judge Ryland at Lexington, Missouri during the fall of 1881. The Kansas City "boom" was jsut starting at that time and in February, 1882, he came to this city, where he entered the office of Peake & Yeager, completing his studies on the 1st of January, 1883. He was then licensed to practice by the circuit court of Kansas City and in 1884 was admitted to partnership by his former preceptors under the firm style of Peake, Yeager & Ball. Failing health, however, caused him to go west in May, 1885. After a sojourn of several months he returned much improved in January, 1886, and resumed practice with the firm in which he had formerly been a junior partner. In October, 1892, Mr. Yeager withdrew, the firm of Peake & Ball, however, continuing until November, 1895, when Mr. Peake succeeded Colonel Broadhead as minister to Switzerland. During his absence Mr. Ball admitted to the partnership of I. P. Ryland, the son of his old preceptor, Judge Ryland of Lexington, but upon the return of Mr. Peake the former partnership relations were resumed and the firm of Peake & Ball is regarded as one of the strongest at the Kansas City bar. From the beginning of his practice Mr. Ball has been unusually prosperous in every respect. The success which he has attained, however, is due entirely to his own efforts and merits. The possession of advantages is no guarantee whatever of professional advancement, which comes not of itself nor can it be secured without integrity, ability and industry. These qualities Mr. Ball possesses in an eminent degree and is most faithful to every interest committed to his charge.
Mr. Ball has never cared for office, though endorsed by the Kansas City Bar Association for circuit judge in 1894. In December of the latter year he was selected by Governor Stone as special prosecuting attorney in the election fraud cases and acquitted himself with much credit in their conduct. His standing among his professional brethren is indicated by the honor which was conferred upon him in his election to the presidency of the Kansas City Bar Association in November, 1896.
Mr. Ball was married August 21, 1889, to Mary Stella Hereford, and they have two sons and a daughter.
Betty Ball never married.
Nancy Ball never married.
Grace Ball never married.
Joseph Ball was a vetryman, St. Stephen's Parish, Northumberland co., VA. He was a Bombadier in Capt. Dandridge's Co., 1st VA Artillery, at Valley Forge.
John Ball inherited land in Culpepper and Spotsylvania Counties, VA.
Samuel Ball inherited land in Amelia Co., VA;
William Ball inherited land in Culpepper & Spotsylvania (VA) counties;