Edwin T. Ballou (1860 - 1878)

Born 1860 in Indiana

Ancestors

Died 15 Feb 1878 at about age 18 in Indiana

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Biography

Edward was born in Indiana [1] in 1860 to Joseph [3] and Caroline (Skinner Ballou). When only 20 years old, he was killed by falling from a freight train [3]. He was buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Cass County, Indiana [4].

Sources

1. The 1860 U.S. Census for the State of Indiana, Miami County, Jefferson Township (Edward, age 1, born in Indiana, living in the household of J. Y. Ballou). [Census available on ancestry.com.]

2. The Wiggins & McKillop's Directory of Logansport for 1876-7 lists Ed. T. Ballou working as a clerk. His residence is listed as 112 North (same as his father J. Y. Ballou). [City directories available on ancestry.com.]

3. The Logansport Weekly Journal, February 16, 1878, Page 5, carried an obituary for Ed Ballou. It read: "Yesterday in the early afternoon the whole community was shocked by the rapidly spreading news that Mr. Edward Ballou, eldest son of Capt. J. Y. Ballou, a young man aged about twenty years, had been killed at Bunker Hill by falling from a freight train. A careful investigation of the manner and cause of his death discloses the following facts. Edward was standing upon the deck of one of the forward cars of his train, which was side tracked at Bunker Hill. In obedience to a signal, the engineer started his locomotive, and, as is usual in "gathering up the slack" of a heavy train, the cars were moved with something of a jerk. It is supposed that Edward was unprepared for thus sudden motion, and being near the end of a car, fell off between two cars. His fall was seen, and the locomotive stopped immediately, having only moved about twelve or fifteen feet. The train men ran to him and found his head and shoulders dragging on the ground. He breathed once or twice, convulsively, and all was over. The Coroner of Miami county was notified, but for some unexplained reason no inquest was held, and the body was brought to this city and taken to the undertaking establishment of W. T. S. Manly & Son. This course was pursued for the reason that it was at first thought that an inquest would be held. This useless formality was dispensed with however. Dr. J. B. Shultz examined the deceased and found that his neck was broken, one of his arms broken in two places and his shoulder dislocated. There were also some bruises and abrasions on the face. After this examination the body was dressed and coffined and taken to the home of the sorely stricken parents and brother and sister. It was an awful home coming of the loved son and brother who had started away on Thursday morning full of life, and hope, and courage. No wonder the intelligence of this calamity, suddenly communicated to the father, struck him down as if he had been shot, and sent a loving and delicately organized sister into convulsions that for a time imperiled her life. It was the last thing they were thinking of. It appears that young Ballou had become exceedingly restive under a lack of employment, and rather than remin idle, had sought a position as brakeman on the Pan Handle road. He had made on trip to the State Line and back, and was returning yesterday on his first regular round trip to and from Bradford. His conductor would not permit him to attempt to couple cars, and had warned him of the danger of being thrown off, but the young man was strong and fearless, and probably did not fully realize the dangers of his new calling. The deceased was a member of the Logan Grays, and had recently joined the Murphy Association. He was popular among the young people of the city and well liked by all who knew him, having in his character the elements of a noble and useful manhood. The grief for his sad death is universal, and the sympathy for his parents and brother and sister, smitten with this terrible affliction, is deep and widespread. The funeral will take place this afternoon at 8 o'clock. Services at the Broadway M. E. Church by Rev. M. Mahin. The Logan Grays will pay suitable honors to this, the first member of the company who has answered at the roll call of Death. Burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery."

4. Personal visit to Mt. Hope Cemetery in Logansport, Indiana, 1999.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Ballou&GSfn=Edwin&GSby=1860&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1878&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=34569069&df=all&