Santa Clara County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
 
FREDERICK D. BALLARD
residing on  McCoy Avenue in the San Tomas District, bought his property, 
consisting of thirty acres, in 1882, and upon a stubble-field commenced the work 
of creating a splendid orchard home.  The building improvements are noticeably 
good, tasteful, and well ordered, while the orchard is hard to excel.  During 
the season following his purchase, Mr. Ballard set out 600 pear-trees, the 
following season 600 apricot and 400 egg plum trees, the third season, 400 
French prune and 400 apricot trees, and later, 200 peach trees.  Every tree in 
this young orchard shows the care and skill with which it was handled.  The 
household orchard contains fig, orange, plum, cherry, apple, and peach trees, 
besides a few specialties.

Mr. Ballard dates his birth in Pike County, Illinois, in 1844. The family 
removed to Boston, and in that city of culture the subject of our sketch was 
educated and attained his majority.  Having mastered the printer's art, he plied 
his trade in many different cities in various States, living in Chicago, St. 
Louis, and other cities in Missouri and Kansas.  From St. Joseph, Missouri, he 
came to San Jose in 1875, and in that city married, in 1882, Miss Maria Palen, 
the daughter of James and Cecila Palen.  Mrs. Ballard has been a resident of San 
Jose since 1876, when she came with her aunt, Miss Maria Palen, from Michigan.

Mr. Ballard has become an enthusiastic horticulturist, and with his enthusiasm 
has united painstaking care and practical knowledge, which are most necessary 
for the product of the best results.  Like all of his craft, he is deeply 
interested and well posted in all public affairs.  He is an ardent Republican 
and a firm believer in the importance of the protection of American industries.  
He is connected with the ancient order of United Workman.


SOURCE:  Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- 
Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. Page 442
transcribed by CDF