A. Ball, of Redlands, is a native of Vermont, born April 5, 1832. His father, Orange Ball, moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1840, where he farmed until his death, which occurred in December, 1873.
The subject of this sketch was reared in the “Buckeye” State, and in 1854 left his native State to be gone only three months. He went to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. Then he took five months to drive with wagons to Silver City, Nevada, where he mined and teamed until 1864, when he went to Sonoma County, California, and engaged in the dairy business for three years. He was married in Wisconsin in 1858, to Miss Jennie McElroy, of Clarkson Center, New York, and they have had eight children, five of whom are still living, viz.: Edith, now Mrs. McCrary; Effie died at at the age of four years; Edison died at the age of two years; Forest, Frank died at the age of four; Lewis, Grace and Jennie.
Mr. Ball has been a resident of the county since November 12, 1869. He was a citizen of Riverside from 1873 to 1879. After this he ran a farm three miles east of San Bernardino, on Base Line, until 1886, when he moved to Redlands and engaged in the hotel business, keeping the Pioneer House. He now runs a saloon and billiard hall. Last spring he took up a ranch of 160 acres on Santa Ana River, on Bear valley trail. He also owns property in Redlands, all of which is devoted to oranges. Politically Mr. Ball is a Republican. He is an I. O. O. F,, Riverside Lodge, No. 282.