Short Biography of Otis M. Ballou & Marie R. Lohry

Mr. and Mrs. Otis Martin Ballou are descendants of some of the first families who settled in this part of the county. They owned and operated an excellent farm and cattle raising business four miles northwest of Ashland in Clear Creek Precinct.

Otis was born on April 20, 1907, the third and only survivor of three children of Emor Smith and Katherine Fletcher Ballou who were married in 1901.

Emor was born in Saunders County and spent his lifetime here as a progressive farmer. His death occurred in 1947. He was the eldest of six children of Martin E. and Jessie Bissell Ballou, who also were prominent farmers north of Ashland. Martin's parents were Emor Smith and Susan Van Buren Ballou. Jessie's parents were James and Sarah Rumsey Bissell, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, who later settled in Indiana. James became a member of the Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army in the Civil War, acquiring the rank of Captain. He was killed in action, and his wife and family then came by covered wagon to Saunders County.

Otis' mother, Katherine, one of eight children of Benjamin and Hattie La Follette Fletcher, was born in Indiana, and came with her family to Saunders County, where they purchased a farm in 1892. She died in 1930.

In 1932, Otis was united in marriage to Marie Ruth Lohry, who was a teacher in the rural schools. The couple remained in the home with his father, continuing to operate the farm together.

Marie was born on December 17, 1911, the second daughter of Fred H. and Nellie Wilson Lohry, who were married in 1905. They owned and operated a fine farm in Marble Precinct. Her father was the eldest son of eight children of Frank and Augusta Ziegenbein Lohry who came from Switzerland and Germany, respectively, and settled on a homestead near Memphis at an early age. One son, Frank, a veteran of World War I, survives. Marie's father died in 1949.

Her mother was one of eleven children of Andrew and Lucinda Waggoner Wilson. Andrew, of Irish descent, was born in Virginia, and came to Indiana in 1832. There he met and married Lucinda, and, in 1870 they came to Saunders County. They purchased a farm in Marble Precinct, a part of which they later gave for the Village of Wann, which they named. Marie's mother died in 1974.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ballou: Jeanine Marie, in 1934; and Earl Martin, in 1939.

Jeanine became the wife of Lawrence Goodfellow, and moved to Arvada, Colorado. They were parents of three children: Michael M. now living in Atlanta, Georgia; Douglas D., Fort Collins, Colorado; and Kelley Sue, Colorado Springs. In 1979, Michael married Balinda Dunning of Arvada. Two children were born to them, Jessica Marie and Sarah Jeanine. Jeanine Goodfellow died in 1963.

Earl was married to Suzanne Cook of Alvo, Nebraska and two children were born to them: Darlene Marie, now married to David Wilson, Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Jeanine Sue, attending school in Kansas City.

Earl continued the farm operation with his father until 1970 when his parents retired and moved to Ashland. Earl and his family then moved to Lee's Summit, Missouri. In 1980 he bought a home in Omaha, where he is now residing. He has continued to work in ag-related interests.

Mr. and Mrs. Ballou are members of the Congregational Church, and Mrs. Ballou is active in the Women's Fellowship group. She is a member of Chapter BD of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. In June of this year, many friends and relatives attended the celebration of their golden wedding anniversary.

Source: "Saunders County History" ²⁸³³