Windham

BALLOU, Hosea Berthier

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, Part II, p 19

Hosea Berthier BALLOU, of Whitingham [Windham County, Vermont], was born 08 
January 1826 in Monroe [Franklin County], Massachusetts, son of Hosea Faxon 
and Mary (BALLOU) BALLOU. His father was a Universalist minister, and he is 
a grandson of the Rev. Hosea BALLOU, father and founder of Universalism in 
America. The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the district 
schools and at the old Whitingham Academy. Early in life he served an 
apprenticeship and became a carpenter and joiner, which occupation has 
employed him more or less during his life. Mr. BALLOU has held every town 
office of importance, has been town clerk continuously since 1857, and was 
assistant clerk for fourteen years prior to that time; this is a record of 
service unsurpassed by any in the state. He was deputy sheriff for some 
fifteen years, and has been a justice of the peace for a long period. In 
1876 he was made an assistant judge of the county court, and held that office 
six years.

On 22 June 1856 Judge [Hosea Berthier] BALLOU was married to Adelia A., 
daughter of Samuel and Mercy (BOWEN) MURDOCK. Of this union there is one 
daughter: Flora A., Mrs. F. D. STAFFORD of North Adams [Berkshire County], 
Massachusetts. In his political views Judge BALLOU is a Republican. In the 
time of the war he was enrolling officer for his district, and was active in 
filling the required quotas, and urging men to enlist. He has never belonged 
to any secret societies, and is a Universalist in his religious preferences. 
Perhaps no man in his vicinity has oftener been called upon as an arbitrator; 
and for forty-five years he has been conspicuously engaged in probate matters.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly