Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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BENJAMIN F. BALL, 

Pasadena, was born in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio, December 24, 1837. His early life was 
spent on a farm in his native State. In 1860 he removed to Cedar County, Iowa. He was united in 
marriage, in 1861, with Miss Mary Stewart.  In 1878 Mr. Ball came to the Golden State and settled 
in Pasadena. In company with Mr. I. H. Painter he purchased 4,000 acres of land, known as the 
Monk Tract, lying directly north of Pasadena. He spent two years in developing a water system, and 
during that time laid about twenty-five miles of water-pipe. As showing the wonderful increase in the 
value of property, we state the fact that $15 an acre was paid for the 4,000-acre tract, and they sold 
it for $75 to $500 per acre. It was rapidly built upon and now has about 250 families living on it, and 
being at present one of the most desirable parts of the city. The first brick house ever built in Pasadena 
was erected on Fair Oaks avenue by Mr. Ball, and at that time it was the best house in Pasadena. Mr. 
Ball has just finished and moved into his new residence, which is located on the hill between Orange 
Grove avenue and Terrace Drive, overlooking the city and whole country round. It is one of the finest 
residences in Los Angeles County, and nothing that taste and refinement would suggest or that money 
could purchase has been omitted to make it complete in all its appointments, it having cost Mr. Ball no 
less than $55,000. Colonel Stanford, and others who have traveled very extensively over the world, state 
that the view from Mr. Ball's home is the most magnificent they ever witnessed. The grounds surrounding 
the residence comprise two acres, and for beauty of design and variety of plants and flowers, are 
unsurpassed. Mr. Ball is very enthusiastic over California; he thinks it is the finest country on earth and 
Pasadena the loveliest spot. He makes this remarkable statement: "I would not go back East to live for all 
the wealth east of the Rocky Mountains," and gives as his reason that "with the comparatively small means 
that I have, I can live comfortably here, while with all the wealth of the East it would be impossible to do so 
there." As a worthy and enterprising citizen, aiding in every way the improvement and development of his 
chosen country, Mr. Ball occupies a prominent place. He is vice-president of the First National Bank, and 
is also a member of the board of trade of Pasadena.


An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 
1889   Page 413

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler