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miles over roads that at this time would be thought to be impassable; on one occasion he took a load of pork to Marietta, which he sold for $1.50 per hundred, but despite the obstacles, which would have disheartened one less courageous, he was successful in life and at one time owned over 1,200 acres of land. But few men did more than he in the development of the county, and the name of Jonas Ball will always be accorded a prominent place among the pioneers of Noble County. He died Oct. 9, 1875, aged eighty-three years; his wife died in 1865, aged sixty-three. He had a family of twelve children, four boys and eight girls. James was born in Center Dec. 19, 1819; his youth was passed on the farm of his father, sharing the hardships of a pioneer family; his recollection of the early days is vivid; he recalls many incidents that took place in his boyhood that illustrate pioneer life in Center. The follow

ing is related to show what the pioneers were compelled to endure, and something of the early life of our subject. In 1835, just before harvest, the family got out of wheat, and they were obliged to cut the ripe spots: the sheaves after being sufficiently dried were threshed with flails, cleaned with a sheet and riddle. On this occasion the wheat was boiled in a tea kettle with a little maple sugar to render it more palatable. On this unwholesome diet they subsisted for two days. Many other experiences might be given, but this will suffice as an illustration.

Like his father, he began life upon a new farm, and is entitled to a prominent place among the pioneer farmers of the county. He married Miss Anna Salladay in 1844. She was born in Buffalo Township in 1824. They reared a family of six children children Emily (Russell), Israel, Martha (Downey), Angeline (Cox), Jane (Newton) and Annie.

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miles over roads that at this time would be thought to be impassable; on one occasion he took a load of pork to Marietta, which he sold for $1.50 per hundred, but despite the obstacles, which would have disheartened one less courageous, he was successful in life and at one time owned over 1,200 acres of land. But few men did more than he in the development of the county, and the name of Jonas Ball will always be accorded a prominent place among the pioneers of Noble County. He died Oct. 9, 1875, aged eighty-three years; his wife died in 1865, aged sixty-three. He had a family of twelve children, four boys and eight girls. James was born in Center Dec. 19, 1819; his youth was passed on the farm of his father, sharing the hardships of a pioneer family; his recollection of the early days is vivid; he recalls many incidents that took place in his boyhood that illustrate pioneer life in Center. The follow

ing is related to show what the pioneers were compelled to endure, and something of the early life of our subject. In 1835, just before harvest, the family got out of wheat, and they were obliged to cut the ripe spots; the sheaves after being sufficiently dried were threshed with flails, cleaned with a sheet and riddle. this occasion the wheat was boiled in a tea kettle with a little maple sugar to render it more palatable. On this unwholesome diet they subsisted for two days. Many other experiences might be given, but this will suffice as an illustration.

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Like his father, he began life upon a new farm, and is entitled to a prominent place among place among the pioneer farmers of the county. He married Miss Anna Salladay in 1844. She was born in Buffalo Township in 1824. They reared a family of six children-Emily (Russell), Israel, Martha (Downey), Angeline (Cox), Jane (Newton) and Annie.

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