Tehama County

Biographies

 

MERRILL O. BALLARD

Merrill O. Ballard, who is now the postmaster of Red Bluff, California, has likewise had a noteworthy record in public office in Tehama county, and is widely recognized as one of the most capable ranchers of the Sacramento Valley, now operating a tract of seven hundred and fifty acres. As county treasurer and as county sheriff, Mr. Ballard discharged the duties entrusted to him with distinction and efficiency, and was uniformly credited with being an honest and capable official. He has a notable military record, having seen active service both on the Mexican border and in France. Descended from one of the proudest of the pioneer families of northern California, Mr. Ballard is sustaining well the traditions and reputation established by his forbears.

Merrill O. Ballard was born at Red Bluff, California, January 21, 1880, a son of Curtis Durkee and Emma (Cochran) Ballard, who are mentioned at length upon other pages of this publication. He obtained his early education in the common schools of Red Bluff, and after leaving school worked on the ranch until he was about twenty years of age, then worked for W. H. Fisher for three years. Mr. Ballard next went to a ranch, where he farmed and raised stock for himself. Five years after he entered the employ of the firm of Willard & Bush, which conducted a general store at Red Bluff, and there remained for three years, during the last year serving as manager. He then resigned, and engaged in ranching for four years. In 1910, Mr. Ballard was a candidate for county treasurer and tax collector, but was defeated. Four years later, he again ran for county treasurer and was elected, taking office in the fall of 1915. On February 16, 1916, he was appointed a lieutenant in Company H, of a regiment of the California National Guard, and in the following June was ordered to the Mexican border, where he served as first lieutenant. Returning to Tehama county, he continued as treasurer of the county until March 24, 1917, when he again entered active military service with the rank of captain. He resigned the office of county treasurer, and his sister, Esther, was appointed to fill the position which he vacated. Captain Ballard was overseas in France for a year and was on the fighting front when the armistice was signed in November, 1918. He returned to Red Bluff in August, 1919, and on November 22d following was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Clifford Moller, deceased, as sheriff of Tehama county. Mr. Ballard served three years of this term, then was regularly elected for a four year term, and on March 11, 1929, he was appointed postmaster of Red Bluff, being the present incumbent of this office.

While holding the position of sheriff, Mr. Ballard started in the sheep business, and in addition to his present governmental duties he operates his modern ranch of seven hundred and fifty acres part of which is the old Ballard homestead, where the family lived for forty-five years and which has been in possession of the family for sixty years.

Mr. Ballard is a republican in his political activities. He is a Mason, belonging to all the various branches of the order, including the Mystic Shrine at San Diego, California. He is also a member of the American Legion, and Red Bluff Lodge, No. 1250, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

In 1922, Mr. Ballard was married to Miss Esther Arnold, a daughter of Henry Arnold, who came to California with the Southern Pacific Railroad, and now resides at Red Bluff. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard are the parents of two children: Richard Curtis and Ann Louise.