The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-18
DEATH OF REV. +. A. BALL0U.

Or those who have served in the office
of Agent of the Universalist Publishing
House three have finished their earthly
career Rev. RUSSELL ARNOLD BALLoU,
who held the agency three years from
1864, died Sunday morning, Dec. 20. at
bis home 10 Newton, at the age of 60
years, months and days.
Years ago two young men, diffident
and modest students of DIR. Ballou. made
the usual visits IN Mini sters Monday
at the store of Abel Tompkins, 80 Corn
hill-Sumner Ellis and Russell A. BalloU.
Then and there began an acquaintance
with both that was continuous to the
last. Entering the ministry Mr.. Ballou
began his work in West Bridgewater,
where he was ordained April %, 1852.
Soon after, moving to College Hill, he
was pastor in North Chelmsford. In
1859 he was called to the pastorate in
Augusta, Me. In 1862 he became the
editor and principal proprietor of the
Gospel Banner. Dsposing of this inter
est to Rev. G. w. Quinby he became
Agent of the Publishing House. After
three years of service he entered upon
secular business, in which misfortune
befell him. About year ago his letter
Of fellowship, which had been voluntar
lily given up. was restored to him, and he
died 10 full fellowship as minister of
the Universalist Church.
Mr. Ballou was twice married first to
Harriet E. Ballou, daughter of DR.. Bal
lou; next to Augusta J. Woodman of
Portland, Sept. 80 1868 the mother of
his children. The following biographi
cal particulars we take from the History
of the Ballous. prepared by Adm Ballou
and Hon. L. M. BaIlou:
"The early home of Rev. Russell A.
Ballou was in the semi mountainous re
gion of Monroe, Mass, rough and rug
ged, but healthful vicinage. He was
brought up plain farmer boy, with
plenty of work and wholesome subsist-
ence. But he had the kindest of parents
best school privileges afforded in their
neighborhood, and we're ambitious to
make capable man of him. So he grew
up an industrious lad and we'll taught
common scholar. Later he had tuition
at Nottingham Academy in VT, Melrose
Seminary in Brattleboro, VT. and Drury
Academy in North Adams, Mass. From
sixteen to twenty three years of age, he
worked on the farm in summer and
taught school in the winter. Feeling
strongly inclined to the ministry, he
preached several times on his own re-
sponsibility, without waiting for ecclesi-
astical authority. In 1849 he received
Letter of Fellowship from the Winches-
ter Association of Universalists in ses
sion at Monroe, bis native town. In the
fall of 1850 he went to Medford, Mass,
for course of theological study with
Rev. DR.. Hosea Ballou, I'd, and contin-
ued therein most of the time year and
half'
In regard to his business struggles
and misfortunes his biographer, noting
that he successfully managed the bust
ness of the Publishing House, adds:
Meantime his secular interests in
other directions demanded his personal
attention and he resigned, in order to
attend to their management. He went
into the purchase and sale of real estate,
aud in the course of seven years became
comparatively wealthy. But adversely
swept nearly all away. The great Bos-
ton fire of 1872 and consequent panic
made him what he terms "a poor man.
but not in spirit and energy. For the
past fifteen years. he says, i have done
the best / could to better my fortunes
and take care of my large family; hay
log given my time mostly to real estate
operations, and to the promotion of man.
ufacturing and patent interests, and to
inventions of my own. | have given my
leisure hours to study and writiug upon
various subjects which | believe to be
important to individuals and the public.
My contributions to various publica
tions, on improvement in the city of
Boston and it's railroad facilities, on the
causes and cure of hard times. on the
prevention of property loss by fire, and
on various political, metaphysical, moral
and religious subjects, have. so far as /
know, been received with favor. and l
trust have done some good. | still, as
in earlier life, find my highest enjoyment
in literary work. and if were still in if,
and circumstances we're such that /
could properly attend to it, | should find
my truest enjoyment and most satisfac-
tory work in the ministry, which re-
spect as the highest calling in which
man can engage"
Mr.. Ballou was always devoted to the
interests of the Universalist Church,
and in his struggle for fortune one mo-
tive was that be might be able to do
something substantial and enduring for
his faith and its institutions. We have
often sail: 1--WE wish Mr.. Ballou had
millions; he would not use wealth self
ishly; he would use it for the good Of
his fellow-men." We never distrusted
his integrity, though business men meet
ing with serious failure are often under
unjust suspicion. Hope was strong
within him.' He looked intently on the
sunny side. But when his youth left