Source: History of Boone County, Indiana, by Hon. L.M. Crist, 1914.

JAMES R. BALL, M.D. Few residents of Lebanon and Boone county have occupied as
large a place in the public eye as Dr. James R. Ball and no one has more worthily
discharged his manifold duties or shown himself more worthy of the high esteem in which
he is held. His life has been filled with activity and usefulness while his untiring energy and
eminent ability have gained for him a conspicuous and honorable place among the
distinguished medical men of his day and generation in this section of Indiana, which is
noted for the high order of its professional talent. In every sphere of endeavor in which he
has taken a part, socially, politically or professionally, his unpretending bearing and strict
integrity have elevated him in the confidence of his fellow citizens, and his influence,
always potent and salutary, is destined to continue a marked factor for substantial good,
long after he ceases from his labors and retires from the busy scenes in which he has so
long been a prominent and effective actor.

Doctor Ball was born in Clinton county, Indiana, June 21, 1868. He is a son of James E.
and Jane Ann (Irwin) Ball, the former also a native of Clinton county. The Ball family
removed from the state of Pennsylvania in pioneer days to Dearborn county, Indiana, and
later came on to Clinton county, in which the Irwins were also early settlers. Scott Irwin,
maternal grandfather of our subject, with several brothers, settled on the "twelve mile
prairie" when this country was wild and very little improved, and there the grandfather
developed a good farm and became a prominent citizen. James E. Ball devoted the earlier
years of his life to farming, later engaging in business in Frankfort from 1881 until his
death in 1905, during which period of nearly a quarter of a century, he was one of the
leading citizens of that city. His widow still lives in Frankfort.

Doctor Ball spent his early boyhood on the farm, being thirteen years of age when, in
1881, the family moved to Frankfort, where he attended the public schools, having
previously been a pupil in the district schools. He was graduated from the Frankfort high
school in 1886. During his vacation periods he studied pharmacy and began clerking in a
drug store. In the autumn of 1888 he entered the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis,
from which he was graduated in 1891, and in May of that year he began practicing his
profession at Clarkshill, Tippecanoe county, where he remained until January, 1892, when
he came to Lebanon and has been here ever since, having meantime built up a large and
lucrative practice which extends all over Boone county and has from the first ranked with
the leaders of his professional brethren. He has remained a close student, keeping fully
abreast of the times in all that pertains to his profession. He took a post-graduate course in
1898 in the Chicago Polyclinic Institute. He is not only a general practitioner but a surgeon
of more than ordinary ability. He is surgeon for the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern
Traction Company. He is a member of the Boone County Medical Society, the Indiana
State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he belongs to
the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never been
very active in public matters, although deeply interested in whatever tends to the general
good of Boone county. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday school of the local congregration for
the past sixteen years, a work in which he takes a great deal of interest. He is a member of
the official board of the church and has long been active in church affairs, as is also Mrs.
Ball.

Doctor Ball was married September 3, 1891, to Effie D. Fisher, a daughter of Samuel P.
and Mary E. (Smith) Fisher.

The father is now retired, lives in Frankfort, Indiana, where he was formerly a leading
business man, and for several years he served as clerk of Clinton county. His wife is
deceased. Mrs. Ball grew to womanhood in Frankfort and received a good education in
the local schools. She is a lady of refinement and is active in the work of the Domestic
Science Club, composed of the leading ladies of Lebanon.

The union of the Doctor and wife has been blessed by the birth of two sons, Clarence R.,
born July 28, 1893; and Robert S., born July 22, 1899. The elder son is now a student in
DePauw University, and the younger son is attending the Lebanon high school, each
making excellent records.

Doctor Ball has been very successful in a material way and is one of the substantial men of
Lebanon. Some time ago he erected the modern and attractive building bearing his name,
which stands at the corner of Meridian and South streets, Lebanon, one of the most
convenient and best business blocks in the city, and is also a popular office building,
equipped throughout in a thoroughly up-to-date manner. His commodious home is at 424
North Meridian street, and, the family being prominent in the social life of the community,
here their many friends frequently gather, always finding a spirit of genuine hospitality and
good cheer prevailing.

BALL FISHER IRWIN SMITH

Submitted by Amy K. Davis