projects

THE FIRE TRUCK

Ballard's Grove Cemetery Clean Up

This is what the path on the way to the Cemetery looked like before the HHS cleared it.

  And this is what it looks like now.  Wow what a difference.  Now we can see there is a path...I wonder where it leads? 

AND this is what the cemetery looked like when the cleaning crew found it. 

Again with the WOW.  Nice job men!

These Photo's were taken before and after the clean up work by Ron and Judy Krull and the following article was prepared by Ron Krull and was published in the Tri-County Times Thursday July 6, 2006.  Thanks!

Huxley Historical Society cleans up Ballard Grove Cemetery

THE ABOVE STONE READS March 9, 1848 brothers Dan and Morman Ballard settled near this site becoming the first white settlers of what was to become Story County.  Their nephew, Elias Ballard, Adam Ballard's son was born near this location on November 15, 1848.  Becoming the first white child born in Story County.  Simeon, father of Dan, Morman and Adam passed away in 1850.  He was the first white person buried in Story County.  Erected in 2003 by Ballard Descendants.  THE ABOVE STONE READS   Ballard Grove Cemetery Simeon Ballard  May 6, 1783-1850 Adam Ballard Jan 17, 1824 - (June 25, 1861 UPDATE 8-11-06: According to the Story Co. Courthouse Catherine swears her oath that Adam died on June 1, 1863 not June 25,1861.) Unknown woman Age 54 Years Sept 23, 1868 son of L. T. & C. Fowler Sept 23, 1859

The projects brainchild and Vice President of HHS, Don Duncan with the help of Ron Krull, Mike Orgler and Craig Henry mowed, cleared downed limbs and brush, both in the cemeteries enclosure and the pathway to it. Loren Larson of Ames and a descendant of the Ballard’s said about the project, "For the family, I want to thank all of you for the work already done."

The society invites all readers to contact them with any information that they may have relative to the cemetery and its history. A membership in the HHS is $20.00 and can be obtained by contacting the Huxley Historical Society President at 515-597-2201. More information about the cemetery and its care can be found at the Historical Societies web site.

www.huxcomm.net/web/huxleyhistory/

Other information that we have, states in 1992 two pieces of grave marker were found by probing the area, neither had names but both had poetry, one said "a friend ever kind & true he exhibited all of the ----. In death his redeemed spirit returned to God who----."   It is surmised that this poetry was from the marker of Adam Ballard and that the following was from the marker of his wife,  "As a wife devoted, as a mother affectionate, as a friend ever kind & true."

UPDATE 8-11-06: It is documented that Catherine ADAM BALLARD'S wife married Moses Crowser on July 8, 1869 and changed her name to Crowser.  Her minor children, however, were not adopted by Mr. Crowser and their surname remained Ballard (which may have led some to believe that Catherine died a Ballard). The court documents state that a guardian and trustee was appointed for the minors: Caroline, Mary, John and Adam Jr.. Catherine then gave up her dower rights, Adam's land was sold and the money put into trust until each of the children were of age, at which point they withdrew their share.

 Catherine (Ruby Ballard) Crowser is buried in Cambridge Cemetery (NOT Ballard's Grove) with her second husband Moses and her son "Addie" (Adam Jr.).

There is also a very old marker nearby that reads only: A.C.B. I have a feeling that this is the grave of Adam Jr. Ballard. Given the plat map information of the time and the deed on file, it would make more sense for him to be buried in Cambridge.  Information added 8-11-06-courtesy of Melissa Jacobs

Its generally believed that there were originally 5 persons buried at Ballard cemetery.  Although the 5th person has not been identified by us.