Hon. Wm. Ball Has Passed Away

Hon. William Ball, of Hamburg, died at the home of his cousin, Harris Ball, of 112ü Washtenaw avenue. it S::jo o'clock yesterday mornlng. His death had been expected for some weeks but he made a -brave flght for life and his mdomita'ble will is all that held him for some days. SIr. Ball was more tüan an ordinary man. He was one of Michigan's best citizens, a man of intelligence, a man of forcé, a man of public spirit, a man of honesty, and he will be greatly missed not only in his family and by his intímate friends but ty the community at large. William Ball was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., April 7, 1830. When he was G years of age his parents carne to Michigan, settling in the townshlp oi Webster, Washtenaw county. llis early life was similar to that of the average farrner's son, although the indoniitable will that has made him a prominent figure, not only in the line of his specialties in rural life, but in politics as well, were manifest in him throughout his youth. At the age of 19 young Ball 'began earning money by teaching, following the profession most of the time for 10 years, during which period he took a preparatory course at Albiou college. He entered the university in 1855, but after a year in the literary department accepted the principalship of the praded school at Otiseo, Ionia county, where he remained two years. During liis term as principal Mr. Ball purehased a farm of 150 acres in the townslnp of Hamburg, Livingston county, and when he resigned the position in 1858 began his chosen life work. His property was gradual ly added to until at one time he operated a farm of 7X acres in extent. Perhaps Mr. Ball's greatest reputation has been as a breeder of American Merino sheep, in which he has a national reputation, having been one of the first to introduce that grade of wool in the west. He has also won deserved fanie as a breeder of shorthorned cattle, having been for years one of the principal figures in the society devoted to that line of stock. As a mernber of the directorate of the State Agricultura] society for more than a score of years, serving as its president six years in succession, and being chairman of its finance comniittee several terms, he has become well known throughout the state as one of the progressive farmers of Michigan, and is looked up to as an authority in the lines which the has made a special ty. But it is not alone as a leader in his profession that Mr. Bal! has made his mark. In politics he has had a pan perhaps second only to that of Hon. Cyrus G. Luce, whose colleague he has been In the direction of guiding the party to which he has givcn a consistent and unwavering support. Always a flrm republiean, Mr. Ball has yet exhibited a sterling independence that has at times placed him at odds with tlie controlling element, yet tbe effect of his efforts has invariably been for the good of the organization. He served three terms as representative of his district, duriug the regular sessions of 1865, 1S67 and 1881, and the special session of 1882. During his last term in the hónse he was chosen speaker pro tem. He also served as senator in the legislature of 1889, and, being president pro tem of the senate, became president and acting lieutenant-governor upon the death of Lieut. Grov. McDonald, two weeks after the session began. In 1890 he was the republican candidate for congress from the sixth district, being defeated by a narfbw majority. From 1885 to 1888 he was a member of the board of control of the Industrial School for Boys at Lansing. Mr. Ball ivas a member of the masonic fraternity, ineluding the Howeil commandery, an ocld'fenow and belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon iraternlty of the university. He was man-ied in 1858 to Miss C'atherine Powers, daughter of David B. Powers of Hamburg, their family consisting of one son and four daughters- Erwin, a farmer and a gradúate of the Agricultural college; Mrs. L. A. Saunders, Miss Julia A.. Mrs. Henry M. Queal, all of ilambure-, and Mrs. Henry M. Osborn, of Grayling. The remalns were taken to fche family homo at Hamburg, yesterday afternoon. The funeral will le held Saturday nfternoon at :', o'tlock.