Yolo
County
Biographies
H. M. BALL
Although
one of the younger representatives of the Yolo County bar, H. M. Ball has
become well known in the field of professional service and his record as city
attorney of Winters is one which redounds to his
credit. He was born in Woodland, on the
17th of November, 1894, and is a son of G. T. and Rose (Tyler) Ball,
the former a native of Woodland and the latter of Detroit, Michigan. The grandfather, J. C. Ball, was a pioneer
lawyer of Woodland and the first district attorney of Yolo County. He was loyal to every trust reposed in him
and ably upheld the high standards of his profession.
After
attending the grammar and high schools of Woodland, H. M. Ball took up the
study of law in the office of C. W. Thomas, a local attorney, and having
mastered the principles of jurisprudence, was admitted to the bar in 1917. Soon afterward he enlisted for service in the
World war, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Field
Artillery, attached to the Fortieth Division, known as “The Grizzlies.” He was assigned to duty with a headquarters
company and after a course of intensive training at Camp Kearney, near San
Diego, California, went overseas in August, 1918, but was not called upon for
active military service. When the war
was over he returned to California and entered upon the work of his
profession. In 1923 he located in Winters, where he has since engaged in general practice,
manifesting keen sagacity in coping with the intricacies of the law, and is
accorded a liberal clientele. His duties
as city attorney are discharged with thoroughness, efficiency and fidelity, and
during his incumbency of the office he has rendered to the community public
service of importance and value. In
addition to his legal work he is identified with financial affairs as a member
of the advisory board of the Winters branch of the
Bank of Italy.
Mr.
Ball was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Graf, who was born in Winters, and both are prominent in social circles here. In civic movements Mr. Ball has long been
deeply and helpfully interested and previous to his selection for the position
of city attorney of Winters had gained experience in
public affairs while serving as justice of the peace of Woodland Township, to
which office he was called in 1915, when but twenty-one years of age. He is a past commander of Winters Post, No. 142,
of the American Legion, a past president of the Exchange Club of Winters, and
also belongs to the Foresters of America and the Winters Golf Club. These interests, however, are made
subservient to his legal activities, for which his best efforts are reserved,
and his ability and close application insure his continued progress in his
chosen profession.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J.W.Major History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 2 Pages 209-210. Pioneer Historical Publishing
Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Yolo County Biographies