Ball, John, 1794-1884

American author, explorer, lawyer, and politician.

From the description of Papers, 1819-1932. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122367839

From the guide to the John Ball papers, 1819-1932, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

John Ball (1794-1884) was the son of Nathaniel and Deborah Ball, who were early New England pioneers. He travelled extensively throughout his life after being educated at Dartmouth College. He farmed in N.H., was shipwrecked on the coast of Ga., and voyaged on a whaling ship to Rio de Janeiro. In 1832 he went to Or. with the Wyeth Expedition to the Pacific Northwest. Afterwards, he settled in Vancouver where he taught the settlement's children. In 1836, he moved to Mich. Territory and called the Grand River Valley his home for the next 48 years. In Mich., he operated a law office, Ball & McKee. Ball served in the Mich. legislature as a representative from Kent and other counties in 1838, and on local school boards for 37 years. He married Mary Ball, with whom he had three daughters, Lucy, Flora Ball Hopkins, and Kate Ball Powers. There are several books about Ball in the Central Mich. University libraries, as well as the Ball and McKee records. (For further information see Mich. Biographies.).

From the description of Family Papers, 1815-1943. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 39623241

Ball traveled west with Captain N.J. Wyeth and joined the William Sublette party at Independence, Missouri. He was the first school teacher in Oregon and taught Dr. John McLoughlin's son.

From the description of Letter, 1833. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 31208846

Ball traveled west with Captain N.J. Wyeth and joined the William Sublette party at Independence, Missouri.

From the guide to the John Ball papers, 1831-1876, (Oregon Historical Society Research Library)

Ball traveled west with Captain N.J. Wyeth and joined the William Sublette party at Independence, Missouri.

He was the first school teacher in Oregon and taught Dr. John McLoughlin's son.

From the description of John Ball papers [manuscript], 1831-1876. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 688491883

John Ball was one of Grand Rapids' pioneers, an outstanding land speculator, political leader, lawyer, and teacher.

He made great contributions to his nation, state of Michigan, and Grand Rapids. He is remembered in the state of Oregon as being their first farmer and teacher.

From the description of Papers and records, 1831-1878. (Grand Rapids Public Library). WorldCat record id: 15648546