Short Biography of Otis L. Ballou

OTIS LINCOLN BALLOU was born in Providence, Saratoga County, New York. His parents were Pardon Davis and Catherine Bonesteel Ballou. Mr. Ballou was a Democratic Senator from Lagrange and Noble counties in the Assembly of 1913. He attended the common and academic schools. Further, he taught school in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and in Lagrange County, Indiana. Mr. Ballou was a presidential elector in 1892, Judge of the Lagrange Circuit Court by appointment, School Trustee for nine consecutive years and member of the Board of School Trustees of Lagrange. He attends the Presbyterian church and has formerly been a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr Ballou is a lawyer at Lagrange.

Source: "Laws of the State of Indiana, passed at the ... session[s] of the General Assembly" ²⁴⁴⁸

OTIS L. BALLOU, attorney at law, was born in Saratoga County, N.Y., August 31, 1849; son of Pardon D. and Catharine (Bonesteel) Ballou. The family is of French origin, and formerly pronounced their name Valloo. Early in the history of the United States, two brothers emigrated to this country and all of that name now here are the direct descendants of these two. The name is familiar in the halls of Congress and also in literature and religion. Otis L. Ballow was brought to Ashtabula County, Ohio, when a small boy, by his parents, and there reared to manhood. He graduated the Kingsville Academy in 1868, and in 1869 married Julia M. Curtiss. The same year, he and his wife, and his parents moved to La Grange County, where he began farming and teaching school. While at this he began the study of law, having access to the library of Andrew Ellison. He was admitted to practice in 1872, but did not commence until June, 1875, and continued alone until September, 1878 when he formed a partnershiop with George A. Cutting, which existed until September, 1880. Mr. Ballou is a Democrat, and is Master County Commissioner of the county. He has held local positions of trust, and is one of the present School Trustees. To Mr. and Mrs. Ballou were born two children - Pardon D. and Katie M.

Source: "Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical" ²⁷⁹⁰

OTIS L. BALLOU

Otis L. Ballou was born on a farm in New York, August 31, 1849, and he is a son of Pardon D. and Catharine (Bonesteel) Ballou, both of Saratoga county, New York. He was educated in the common schools and in Kingsville Academy in Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1868. He taught school in Ohio in 1869, and in Lagrange county, Indiana, until 1875, all the while utilizing his spare time in the study of law, and was admitted to practice in 1872. In 1875 he opened an office in Lagrange, where he has since practiced. In 1892 he was a presidential elector, served on the school board for many years, and was state senator during 1913 and 1915. On February 16, 1904, he was appointed Judge on the death of Judge Joseph O. Ferrall and served until appointment was made for the position by the governor, February 25, and is now the candidate of his party for Judge of the Thirty-fourth judicial circuit. He is a member of the Lagrange County Bar Association, a charter member of the Indiana State Bar Association, a Presbyterian and a Democrat. They have three children, Pardon D., William C, and Katie May, the wife of John E. Antonides.

Source: "Courts and Lawyers of Indiana" ²⁷⁹¹