Charles M. Ball. While every type of business man must possess certain qualities to ensure success in his enterprises, those indispenable to the banker rest along such high lines that his position in a community is comparable to no other in importance. As a bank represents the most conservative of all institutions, the honest banker is conservative, thereby safeguarding the interests entrusted to his care. Such bankers are invaluable protectors of the public as well as of the private individual. The steadying influence of a conservative banker has often proved a bulwark to a business community in time of real or anticipated panic. The long financial career of Charles M. Ball, president of the Conlen National Bank, at Coffeyville, Kansas, has given him a wide banking experience.
Charles M. Ball was born at Rochester, in Fulton County, Indiana, November 25, 1865, and is a son of Aaron and Celestina Ball, the latter of whom was born at Akron, Indiana, in 1847 and is a resident of Oswego, Kansas. Aaron Ball was born at Akron, Indiana, in 1842, and died in 1895, at Oswego, Kansas. He came to Kansas in 1879, shortly afterward became engaged in farming and stockraising in Labette County, continuing until the close of his life. On numerous occasions he served in town offices at Oswego. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a man whose deeds justified such connection. In fraternal life he was identified with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His six children are as follows: Flora, who became the wife of David Jennings, a banker at Oswego, Kansas, and later county treasurer; Charles M.; O. W., who is in a real estate and insurance business at Oswego; Edward C., who is a farmer and fruit grower in Arkansas; Ora J., who is a merchant in Webb City, Missouri; and R. M., who is a merchant in Alberquerque, New Mexico.
Charles M. Ball attended the public schools of Oswego, Kansas, being graduated from the high school in 1885, in the same year attending a business college at Poughkeepsie, New York. Mr. Ball’s whole business life has been concerned with banking. On completing his education he entered the Conlen State Bank at Oswego as bookkeeper, shortly afterward coming to Coffeyville, and in September, 1886, he became cashier of the Conlen National Bank. In this position he displayed strictness, fairness and integrity and in the course of years became vice president of the institution and in 1915 was made its president. Undoubtedly his careful, conservative course in every position of trust that he has occupied, has had much to do in the building up of the large business this bank enjoys. While paramount this has not been his only interest however, for he is president of the Coffeyville Furniture Company, is vice president of the Coffeyville Gas and Fuel Company and has other investments.
In 1892, at Harrisonville, Maine, Mr. Ball was united in marriage with Miss Cora G. Fall, who is a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Fall, the former of whom is deceased. The mother of Mrs. Ball resides at Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Ball have three children: Helen, who is a graduate of the Coffeyville High School and also of National Park Seminary, Washington, D. C., resides with her parents; William A., who entered Manhattan College after graduating from the city high school; and Charles, who is a student in the high school. Mr. Ball and family are members of the Presbyterian Church at Coffeyville and he is a church trustee.
In politics Mr. Ball has been a worker in the republican party for many years and has been an influential factor in the interests of harmony in many party councils. He has filled several offices of civic responsibility, serving as city treasurer for some time, also as a very useful member of the school board and additionally has served on the Carnegie Library Board.