Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-08-02
Death Of D. W. BaIIou.

'0 a Sau anu palnIul uuty 10 per
form this week in announcing the decease
OF MI. Daniel W. Ballou, for nearly q
years the editor and publisher of the Wet.
ertown Democrat, his death occurring at his
residence in the First ward, last Thursday
afternoon, July 9th, 1876. Although his
death had not been wholly unexpected by
his more intimate friends, yet, we are sure
its announcement will bring surprise and
sorrow TO many " ho claimed his friendship
| and esteem. Mr.. Balou's health com meme.
ed faling rapidly last January and three
months ago he was so broken down that
his physician and friends recommended re.
Taxation from business, and rest a nd quie
Jude as his only hope for the restoration OF
his constitution. With his wife he sought
retirement at Green Bay amid the scenes
OF his old home, where loving relatives and
kind associates were ready to administer
to his comforts and wants But ais sun
was too much on the decline to give his
friends much hope and he returned some
SIX weeks ago to his home utterly prostra-
ted and gradually sinking. Still his in
domitable will stood by him, aud
up to within short time of his death
be was not without hope that longer
lease of life would be given him. but when
the finsl struggle came he met it with cour,
age and fortitude. Poor Ballou how M nc b
he will be missed by his brethren of the
press all over the state. What loss his
counsel and presence will be to the is
consin Editorial Association. and how
many tears will be dropped ct it's next
gathering when it will be painfully realizei
by his vacated position that he has been
called hence, and will be no more seen
mingling in the midst of those he loved
with such fraternal feelings. For his
brothers of the craft he always entertained
the kindlest affection, and we safely say no
man ever took more especial pride in con.
sidering himself a member of the editorial
profession. We believe Mr.. Balou was one
of the original members of the State Edl
toral Association, and we think since its
formation has never missed meeting with
the Wisconsin Editors at their annual con-
veutions. He has been It's honored Eres-
dent, and at the time of his death was
chairman of the Executive Committee
Among the editors of the state, Mr.. Ballou
shone conspicuous as writer There was
a clearness and force running through
every line of his composition, and the
whole was clothed in that beautiful imagery
possessed by 50 few who handle the pen.
His success, however, did not lie so much
IN the political. as in the literary field.
Partisan writing was necessarily too mar
row and contracted for his wide scope OF
imagination. He required a broader ex-
panse than the limits party could afford
him for the exercise of hi ability. As a
citizen, Mr.. Ballou can De lily spared, and
no man could be taken from US who would
make void space harder to FILL He was
ever ready to take his stand in favor OF any
enterprise and work beneficial to the city.
Everything to help along Watertown had
in him willing advocate On more than
one occasion our community derived great
benefit from the potency of his pen and the
vigor and force with which be supported
certain measures. As friend and neigh
Dor no man stood higher, and every Gale.
or visitor, whether at his home or Office,
had always extended to him cordial vel
come by Mr.. Ballou. He was not without
some of the faults of poor frail nature, but
these are now all forgotten in the recolec-
tions of the many noble and redeeming
traits he possessed. Mr.. Ballou's funeral
took place from his late residence last Sat
urday afternoon, at o'clock. A short
service was held by Rev. Mr.. Hendrickson
of the Congregational church. The Water
town Lodge of Masons, of which Mr.. Ball
lou had been member, attended the fun
eral in body and united with the other
friends Of the deceased in forming one of
the longest funeral corteges ever seen here.
The ceremony at the grave was of the full
Masonic haracter-impressive and solemn.
His body finds last resting place in our
beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery, there to re-
main until the final judgment. May the
cods Of the valley rest lightly upon him
Mr.. Ballou leaves sorrowing and stricken
wife to mourn his decease, and ir her dis
consulate and lonely condition, she has the
sympathy of our entire community. To
the last she was constant in her care and
attentions at his bedside, and nothing was
left undone by her to soothe and comfort
him. a short time before his death, Mr.
Balou wrote the following brief story of
his life, and being the last lines he ever
penned, they are full of interest to his
friends and neighbors: