Person:Ellra Ballard (2)

Copied from Ellra's Find-a-Grave memorial page with thanks to Find-a-grave member Culletto180 for the additional information:
The Otsego Farmer, page 1
Friday, January 9, 1953

Ellra Ballard Dies; was well known Mason
Commandery Recorder for past 25 years.

Ellra Ballard, aged 75, a prominent member of local Masonic fraternal organizations for over 30 years, died Saturday afternoon at 5 o'clock in the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital where he had been a patient since November 7, when he suffered a head injury in a fall during the night down the stairs in his home at 6 North Grove street. For some time prior to this accident, he had been in ill health, having been under treatment for a chronic heart ailment.

Mr. Ballard was a native Otsegoan, his birth occurring in Maryland, February 17, 1877, the son of Sanford and Flora (Jackson) Ballard. He was married May 29, 1901, to Miss Emma Schneider of Cooperstown, the ceremony taking place in Christ Church rectory, with the late Rev. Richard Shreve officiating. The couple appropriately observed their golden wedding anniversary in 1951.

His ability as a handicraftsman had long been recognized. For over a quarter century he was employed as a mill worker being engaged for 14 years with the now defunct Brady Lumber Company, subsequently for 13 years with the Clark Estates. Until his last illness he had continued to operate his own cabinet workshop at his home on North Grove street.

Holding first place in his life were the ties of his homestead, followed closely over the period of the last 32 years by his bonds with local Masonic Organizations. He was raised in Otsego Lodge, No. 138, F. & A.M., February 17, 1920 in Otsego Chapter, No. 26, R.A.M., and subsequently served as high Priest in 1926; as Past Assistant Grand Lecturer of the 11th Capitular District; and also past Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Nebraska. He was a charter member of Otsego Commandery, No. 76, Knights Templar, being knighted April 7, 1927. At the Grand Conclave of Knights Templar of the State of New York in Cooperstown last June, he was honored with appointment as Present Grand Representative of the State of Nebraska. He also served as Commandery Recorder for 25 years, retiring at the annual election meeting last Friday night. He also held membership in Oneonta Council, No. 87, Royal and Select Masters.

He was a lifelong member of Christ Episcopal church, and also acted as chief of Cooperstown Fire department for many years. He was instrumental in the adoption of the present fire alarm code system.

Surviving of his immediate family are his widow; a daughter, Rms. William G. Tyler, and a son, Russell G. Ballard, both of this village; and two brothers, Isum Ballard and Harry J. Ballard, both of Cooperstown.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from Christ Episcopal church with the Rector, the Rev. Walter A. Henricks officiating. Members of Otsego Commandery acted as guard of honor and as bearers. A Masonic service was held at the Ingalls Funeral Home Monday evening at 8 o'clock conducted by members of Otsego Lodge.

1880 U.S. Census Maryland, Otsego Co., New York
Ballard, Sanford W M 26 M Stone Mason NY NY NY
Ballard, Laura W F 21 Wife M Keeping House NY NY NY
Ballard, Ellery W M 3 son S NY NY NY
Jackson, Lonard W M 55 Father M Carpenter NY NY NY
Jackson, Adaline W F 56 Wife M NY NY NY
Jackson, Andrew W M 25 M NY NY NY [enumerated as 'married' in error]

1910 U.S. Census District 0070, Otsego, Otsego Co., New York
Ballard, Sandford Head M W 55 M1 for35yrs NY NY NY Laborer - Corporation
Ballard, Flora D. Wife F W 53 M1 for35yrs 5ch/3 lvg NY NY NY no occup.
Ballard, Ellery J. son M W 33 M1 for9yrs NY NY NY Sawyer - Lumber Mill
Ballard, Emma dau-in-law F W 33 M1 for9yrs 2ch/2 lvg NY Germany Germany
Ballard, Hilda E. gr-dau F W 5 S NY NY NY
Ballard, Russell G. gr-son M W 3 S NY NY NY
Ballard, Isum A. son M W 27 S NY NY NY Chaffeur - Private family
Ballard, Harry J. son M W 22 S NY NY NY Plumber & Musician
Jackson, Andrew brother-in-law M W 55 S NY NY NY (lost his speach by illness) no occup. (Leonard's son)
Broche, Hannah Aunt-in-law F W 77 Wd 2ch/2 lvg NY NY NY no occup. (Hannah Brooks)

U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Ellra Jefferson Ballard
County: Otsego
State: New York
Birth Date: 17 Feb 1877
Race: White
Draft Board: 2

U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Ellra J Ballard
SSN: Birth Date: 17 Feb 1877
Birth Place: Cooperstown, New York
Death Date: 3 Jan 1953
Claim Date: 2 Feb 1953
Type of Claim: Death Claim
Notes: 26 Jan 1953: Name listed as ELLRA J BALLARD

Ellra is buried in the same cemetery as his Uncle James Alfred Jackson.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 United States. Social Security Administration. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007. (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, 2015).
2. ↑ United States. Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. (Washington, D.C.: National Archives Microfilm Publication M1509, 1987-1988).
3. ↑ Find A Grave
   Memorial# 140096963.

   http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=140096963

4. ↑ United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623)
   Year: 1900; Census Place: Otsego, Otsego, New York; Roll: 1146; Page: 5B; Enumeration Distr.
5.   United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9)
   Maryland, Otsego Co., New York.

   http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1880usfedcen&indiv=try&h=4070692

6.   United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T624)
   Otsego, Otsego Co., New York.
7.   1943 obituary of David Andrew Jackson found at http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=122761892
   Ellra was a surviving nephew.