Who has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Breese, since 1869, is a native of Scioto county, Ohio, and was born on the 4th of February, 1837. His paternal grandfather, David Ball, was of German descent, and a native of Schoharie county, New York. He was a lawyer by profession, and practiced in the state of New York and also after his removal to Ohio. Dr. Ball’s father, Orlando Ball, was born in Schoharie county, New York. In the year 1808, the family removed from New York to Ohio, and settled on the French Grant, in Scioto county. They were among the pioneer residents of that part of Ohio. At the time of the settlement of the family in Ohio, Dr. Ball’s father was not yet eight years of age. He grew to manhood in Scioto county, and married Harriet BLISS, daughter of John Bliss. She was a native of Champlain county, New York. Charles E. was the seventh of fifteen children, of whom twelve grew to manhood and womanhood. He was brought up on a farm in his native county. After attending the district schools in the neighborhood of his home till fourteen, he went to a high school at Portsmouth, Ohio. He subsequently attended for two years a college at Lebanon, in the same state. He began teaching when seventeen, and thus obtained the means with which to prosecute his studies, teaching for a time and then going to school till his means were exhausted.

At the age of twenty-one, he undertook the study of medicine at Paducah, Kentucky. The breaking out of the war of the rebellion caused him to return to Ohio, where he continued his medical studies under the instruction of Dr. Frank B. MUSSEY, of Portsmouth. During the winter of 1861-2, he attended lectures at the college of medicine and surgery at Cincinnati. In October, 1862, he enlisted at Portsmouth, Ohio, in the 33d regiment Ohio infantry. He was mustered in as Assistant surgeon. He remained with his regiment eighteen months, and was afterward employed in the hospital service with the army of the Cumberland, and was stationed at different points in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was present at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, and Mission Ridge. He was mustered out in June, 1865, after the close of the war. After his return from the army, he attended a second course of lectures at the college of medicine and surgery at Cincinnati, and was graduated. He then practiced medicine three years in the same neighborhood in which he was born in, Scioto county, Ohio, and then in 1869, came to Illinois. After residing a few months at Lebanon, in June, 1869, he established himself in practice at Breese, where he has followed his profession very successfully. From 1871 to 1875, he carried on a drug store at Breese.

He was married at Portsmouth, Ohio, June, 1864, to Irena O'NEAL, who was born at Steubenville, Ohio. He has four children, Maud E., Charles H., Mary L., and George H. He has always been a republican in politics. He has made an excellent record as a successful physician, and all his time has been taken up by the demands of his large practice.

Source: History of Marion and Clinton Counties, Illinois, 1881, Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia

Submitted by: Pamela Safriet

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