John Wesley "Wes" Ball

Other Events:

• Interesting: accident
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-194849
• Occupation: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Operator - Telephone
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Misfortune: 30 Mar 1916, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; killed by accidental electric shock

Notes:

Terribly Sad Occurrence
John Wesley Ball of Ayr Electrocuted at Drumbo Power House

This community was sensibly shocked on Thursday last when it was announced over the wires that John Wesley Ball, a popular young electrician in the joint employ of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission and the Corporation of Ayr, had been electrocuted at the Drumbo Power House. It appears that "Wes," as young Ball was known among his companions, had been sent out to hunt up the cause of some trouble on the line. His investigations led him to enter the power house at Drumbo. Here he proceeded to adjust some fuses and was instantly enveloped in a sheet of flame, his body falling over a live wire.

His companion, Mr. W. G. Barr, who is in charge of the Drumbo power house, at once seized a pole and shoved the body off the wire. Life, however, was extinct. He was burned on the calf and thigh of the left leg and on the right foot and the right arm. The hair was also burned from one side of his head. A doctor was called but nothing could be done and an inquest was not deemed necessary. The mortal remains of the unfortunate young man, who was in his 29th year, were brought to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Ball, Swan St., on Friday afternoon, burial being made in the Ayr cemetery on Sunday. The funeral was very largely attended, the whole country side showing their esteem of the deceased and their sympathy for the bereaved by attending en masse. Rev. J. J. Brown conducted the services, in which he was assisted by Rev. Dr. Thomson. The pall bearers were - Messrs. C. Falconer, W. [illegible], R. Mueder, A. Ball [?], O. Ball, [illegible].

Ayr News, April 6, 1916

Other Events:

• Name: O. T. Ball
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-194847
• Occupation: 1906, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Funeral Director
• Occupation: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Retail - Furniture
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Death of O. T. Ball, Well-Known Business Man of Ayr Passes on Thursday in His 81st Year

It was with something of a shock that the citizens of the community learned on Thursday of the passing of O. T. Ball, who has conducted an undertaking establishment here for the past 37 years. Mr. Ball had been in ill health for some time and but little hope was held out for his recovery. The late Mr. Ball was a familiar figure on the streets of the village, where he will be much missed. He was widely known throughout the district and his passing will be regretted by many friends. Mr. Ball was born in Coburg, and resided in Norwood for a short period before coming to this village. He was a member of Knox United Church. Surviving are his wife, Jennie Varcoe; one son, William, at home; four daughters, Mr. L. C. Vincent (Flora) of Ayr; Mrs. L. c. Elms (Hilda), Detroit; Mrs. L. C. Smiley (Gertrude Maude), North Bay, and Mr. L. B. Sifton (Addie), St. Thomas; two sisters, Mrs. William Wright, Campbellcroft, and Mrs. Alex Pratt, Pot Hope; and eleven grandchildren. One son, Wesley, died in 1916, and two brothers, John and Robert, and one sister, Eliza, also predeceased him.

Ayr News, January 14, 1943, p. 9

Osborne married Jennifer Almera Varcoe 6 Feb 1884, Alnwick Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario. Jennifer was born 4 Dec 1862, Roseneath, Northumberland Co.., Ontario; died 28 Aug 1964, Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada; was buried 31 Aug 1964, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jennifer Almera Ball
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-194848
• Residence: 1911, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Mrs. O. T. Ball Passes In Her 102nd Year

The community was saddened on Friday by the death at Paris Nursing Home of Mrs. Osborne T. Ball, Ayr's oldest citizen, in her 102nd year.

The former Jennifer Varcoe, she was born in Roseneath, Ont., on December 4, 1862, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Varcoe.

Following her marriage in 1884, the couple farmed for several years in the Roseneath area, prior to moving to Norwood where Mr. Ball operated a novelty shop for about three years.

In 1906 they came to Ayr, where Mr. Ball conducted an undertaking and furniture establishment for many years in what is now the Oddfellows' building on Stanley St. He passed away in 1942.

Until her 100th birthday, Mrs. Ball had been ill only once when she suffered an attack of typhoid fever 46 years ago.

Mrs. Ball was a member of Roseneath Methodist Church in her younger years and later was an adherent of Knox United Church. She was an active member of the former Ladies' Aid Society in the church and took a deep interest in the work of the Ayr Women's Institute.

Some years ago Mrs. Ball fractured her hip in a fall and was confined to Brantford Hospital for eight months, following which she became a resident of Paris Nursing Home.

In spite of advancing years, Mrs. Ball retained good hearing and vision and gave up knitting, at which she excelled; only a few years ago.

As the years went by, Mrs. Ball's birthdays became a marked local event, and on the occasion of the 100th milepost she received the congratulations of the Queen, as well as national, provincial and local government leaders. Her kindly disposition was an outstanding characteristic which won her the friendship and respect of all, and her passing is a district loss to our community.

Surviving are a son William O. Ball, Ayr; three daughters, Mrs. L.C. (flora) Vincent, Ayr; Mrs. L.C. (Hilda) Elms, Courtright, and Mrs. L.C. (Gertrude) Smiley of Rocklyn, near Meaford; one sister, Mrs. William Heal of Peterborough; 10 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Wesley ball, and a daughter, Mrs. L.B. (Addie) Sifton.

The Funeral

Funeral service was held on Monday at the W.O. Ball Funeral Home, operated by her son. Rev. W.J.V. Buchanan officiated and interment was made in the Ayr Cemetery.

Pallbearers were grandsons: Lyle Sifton of St. Thomas, George Ball of Dundas, Fred Ball of Galt, Jack Ball, Warren Vincent and Marlen Vincent of Ayr.

Ayr News Sep 3 1964 pg 1

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Mrs. O. T. Ball, Ayr's grand old lady of 100 years, spent some of the most glorious hours of her life on Tuesday, December 4th, 1962, when her venerable lifespan of a century was recognized by Queen Elizabeth and the heads of all levels of Canadian government.

Although confined to bed at the Paris Nursing Home for several years, Mrs. Ball was bubbling over with excitement and interest as the honors were heaped upon her.

First came the congratulatory message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, then a letter from Rt. Hon. John Diefenbaker, Prime Minister of Canada. Messages also arrived from Lester B. Pearson, from Gordon Chaplin, M.P. for South Waterloo, and Larry Pennell, M.P. for Brant-Haldimand.

Mrs. Robert Nixon, wife of Robert Nixon, M.P.P. for Brant, arrived to present Mrs.Ball with a handsomely framed scroll from the Ontario government, signed by Provincial Secretary John Yaremko, extending congratulations.

A few days previous, Reeve Mildred Gillies had presented a bouquet of roses, on behalf of the Village of Ayr, which were blooming magnificently in the room.

Cards and letters poured In all during the day and were each given attention by Mrs. Ball.

Of course, all the family members were present including the surprise visit of her two sisters, Mrs. Maggie Varcoe of Owosso, Michigan, who carries her 91 years lightly, and Mrs. Fannie Heal of Peterborough, a sprightly 83.

These two charming ladies exemplified the remarkable longevity enjoyed in the family, for among the three sisters were 274 years of happy memories.

Daughters, Mrs. L.C. Elms of Courtright and Ayr; Mrs. L. C. Smiley of Rocklyn; and Mrs. L.C. Vincent of Ayr, were present, along with her son, Mr. W. O. Ball, and many of the ten grandchildren, and twenty-seven greatgrandchildren .
Late in the day, with the festivities past, Mrs. Ball settled back to her quiet, comfortable way of life, but with this added wonderful memory to treasure.

With Mrs. Ball, in the above picture, is her daughter, Flora, Mrs. L.C. Vincent, and her grandson, Mr. 'Warren Vincent, of Ayr, Ontario.

Mrs. Ball passed away quietly August 28th, 1964, in her 102nd year. Funeral service was held at, the W.O. Ball Funeral Home, operated by her son. Rev. W.J.V. Buchanan officiated and interment was made in the Ayr Cemetery.

Women's Institute, Ayr Chapter