California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


GEORGE A. BALLOU. In all sections of the world the pioneer is held in honor, but especial- 
ly is this the case in California, where the present generation realizes that the development of 
the twentieth century is due to the indefatigable determination of those who faced the hardships 
of an overland journey to the coast and the still greater hardships connected with the transform- 
ing of an unknown, sparsely settled region into one of the greatest commonwealths in the nation. 
The development of Tulare county owes much to the pioneer labors of George A. Ballou, and the 
retirement and ease he now enjoys have been justly earned by years of arduous effort and ap- 
plication. 

When the first settlers came to American shores the Ballou family immigrated to this coun- 
try from France and afterward members of the different generations bore a part in the colonial 
and Revolutionary struggles. The trade of weaver was followed by them in the early history 
of the United States and from that they drifted into the cotton manufacturing business during the 
infancy of that industry. Ballou's cottons were manufactured at Woonsocket, R. I., and acquired 
a world-wide reputation through the exercise of the fine business talents of Oliver Ballou, a na- 
tive of Rhode Island and for years the head of the factory. Harvey, son of Oliver Ballou, was born 
and reared in Rhode Island and through all his life followed the trades of plasterer and brick- 
layer, in addition to superintending a farm. At an early age he married Ruth Gould, who was 
born at Cape Cod, Mass., and died in Rhode Island. His death also occurred in the latter 
state in 1854. In their family of three sons and four daughters George A. Ballou was next to the 
youngest. The common schools of Cumberland, R. I., where he was born September 26, 1832, fur- 
nished him with a fair education, and he had the further advantage of a term in an academy. Un- 
der his father's supervision he learned the trades of plasterer and bricklayer, which he has fol- 
lowed throughout much of his active life. 

The year 1850 brought many gold-seekers to California, and among the number was George A. 
Ballou, who came by way of Panama and settled in San Diego, going from there to Los Angeles 
eighteen months later. In common with the majority of the pioneers he did considerable pros- 
pecting and mining, and it was his good fortune to secure a sufficient amount of gold to repay him 
for his arduous labors. For eight months he made Los Angeles his home and then spent a 
short time in San Francisco, afterward working at his trade in Stockton. Subsequent to this he 
engaged in mining in Mariposa county, and from there returned to work at his trade in Los An- 
geles. As early as i860 he became a pioneer of Visalia, which has since remained his home and 
the scene of his activities. After some years as a wage-worker in laying brick he began to take 
contracts for such work, and many of the first buildings in the town were erected under his su- 
pervision. In 1899 he retired from the trade, and since that year he has given his attention to the 
management of his property in town and the large tracts of farm lands owned by him. These 
lands aggregate more than one thousand acres and are scattered through three counties. Pur- 
chased at a time when property was much lower than at present, they represent Mr. Ballou's ex- 
cellent judgment in making investments and comprise to a large degree the savings of a lifetime 
of labor. Since attaining the age of franchise he has voted the Republican ticket and both in 
local and general elections supports the men and measures advocated by that party.