Wilbur F. Ball Collection

Collection

Identifier: SC 28

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Reminiscences about two legal cases in which he was involved. The Story of Annie McArthur (28 leaves), the first case, concerns a court case involving James G. Craigie, his wife Ann Walker Craigie, and her daughter Annie. The main events take place at Balmoral, Craigie's mill, and Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The second piece is The Story of Two States (18 leaves) which relates the story of a Texas lawyer who ran away with a married woman; they eventually lived in Fargo for some years. A note included indicates the lawyer's name was Miller W. McCraw and his accomplice was I.P. Clapp. A clipping of an interview with Mr. Ball during his term as mayor of Fargo is included.

Dates

Majority of material found within [19--?].

Creator

Ball, Wilbur F., 1843-1912. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

The NDSU Archives does not hold the copyrights.

Biography

Wilbur F. Ball was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1843, the son of John and Sarah (Webb) Ball. As a child, Wilbur Ball attended schools in Virginia and Pennsylvania. He was an apprentice at a printing office in Washington, D.C and was employed by the Washington Constitution, and later the Titusville Gazette, in Pennsylvania. He moved to Canton, Ohio, and it was there he was living when he enlisted in Co. A, 2nd Ohio Cavalry at the start of the Civil War. He saw action in southern Kansas and Missouri, before being injured and discharged in the fall of 1861. After his discharge he moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania and was employed by the Atlantic & Great Western railroad, and the Buffalo & Erie railroad. In 1864 he began law school in Ontonagon, Michigan, and was admitted to the bar in 1865. That same year was married to Mary A. Merryweather. The couple would later have four children.

From 1865 to 1868, he operated a law office in Eagle River, Michigan. In 1868 he moved to Minnesota, and spent time in Alexandria, Ottertail, and Detroit Lakes. In 1878 he moved to Fargo, D.T. and started a law practice with John A. Stowell. He was elected District Attorney of the Third Judicial District in 1881. He held this position until 1885. His law practice grew to include several other lawyers, Ball, Wallin & Smith, and later Ball, Watson, Young & Lawrence. Mr. Ball was the assistant counsel for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and was one of the organizers of the Fargo Southern Railroad. He also served as director of the Merchants National Bank of Fargo. He was involved with the Masons, the G.A.R. and the I.O.O.F. He also served as mayor of Fargo from 1890-1892 and 1894-1896. He died in his home at 623 8th Street S., Fargo on August 27, 1912 of a stroke.

Extent

4 Items (4 items.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Wilbur Ball was a Fargo, N.D. attorney, District Attorney of the Third Judicial, director of the Merchants National Bank of Fargo, member of the Masons, the G.A.R. and the I.O.O.F. He also served as Fargo mayor.