In recent times it has been my quest to flesh out information that relates to the life and times of Webb C Ball.

I understand that Mr Ball lived at Cleveland Heights. I gather that this neighbourhood was established in 1901 so Mr Ball may have been one of its earliest residents. Does any one know the street address and whether the Ball home might still be standing? A photograph of it would be most interesting to see.

The following information has been provided to me by the management of the Lakeview Cemetery, Cleveland: “Mr. Ball is buried in Section 8 Lot 144. Birth October 6, 1846, DOD Mar 6, 1922”. It would be very interesting to see photographs of Mr Ball’s grave and its inscription if someone who lives close would be willing to take the trouble to collect the data.

John Scott

If and when this is done, it should be submitted to the website:

Find-A-Grave

so others can find him and his gravesite.

Regards! Mark

To John and All,

Lake View Cemetery

Lake View is a very beautiful cemetery. I wasn't expecting it to be difficult to find Webb C Ball's gravesite because Section 8 is rather small, plus I figured the gravesite would be somewhat large and well marked due to his prominence in society.

After about 15 minutes of searching I found the headstone. I don't know much about Webb C Ball as a person, but looking at his gravesite I would venture to say he was a humble man with great love for his family.

This is what I found...

It took me a while to realize all that was surrounding his gravesite. His wife Florence's headstone is directly to his right and a son's headstone directly to his left. Then I realized the whole area was filled with Ball family members.

In the next photo you will see a small monument with Mr Ball's headstone being the second last on the left.

Could this be a young Cronos (Father Time) knocking on Heaven's Door?

after all................. It's Just a Matter of Time!

Excellent photos and detective work!! Like I said, please contact the webmaster of the link I supplied above. They'll put the information on their website, along with your photos (with your permission, of course!)

HIGH regards! Mark

Mike,

I could be wrong but I am sure that the beautiful grave marker in your photo is a representation of scripture in the book of Revelations where Jesus says " I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK IF ANY MAN LET ME IN I WILL COME IN AND HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM." It is a very nice sentiment at the time of death.

I thought that as well John, but have to say that's the oddest bronze I've ever seen depicting Jesus.

Regards! Mark

John,
Your assumption may well be correct and very appropriate for a gravesite. It was very moving once I pieced it all together.

Mark,
I agree with you about the bronze. His identity had me a bit bewildered also.
I will work on getting this information to Find-A- Grave.

Mike

Michael

You have done a wonderful job of following up the lead to the grave of Webb C Ball. Thank you for sharing your findings and your impressions with us all.

I would say that you have provided a wonderful and highly appreciated example of the power of our Association as aided by the Internet. As a distant member I am acutely aware of the fact that this is what Chapter 185 is all about.

With thanks, again.

Now the house!!

John Scott

What these photos make me think about is that here once was the man who lived his life and died, and whose name we see on all our Ball watches.

Usually we look on those names on our collections with a complete disassociation of that fact...but here the man lies in his grave with his family around him, proving he was once flesh and blood, loving and loved by his family, and who would NEVER have believed we'd STILL be talking about him and the products he produced so many years after his passing.

Regards! Mark

John,
The house(s) should not be a problem provided it/they still exist. Cleveland Heights has many old ,well built, beautiful homes. I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful resource in Case Western Reserve Historical Society so locating his residence shouldn't be too difficult.

Mark,
Beautifully stated, I couldn't have expressed it any better!

Mike

Mike

If you can possibly go that extra mile it would be another great contribution to our understanding of the human dimension.

JBS

Very nice Lin, the only thing missing from the memorial was a portrait of Mr. Ball. As a contributor to findagrave.com myself, I was able to add the following Ball portrait I had in my archives.


Webb C. Ball

Thanks Ed for the photo.

I knew we forgot something!

Mike

BRAVO!!!!!!!!

HIGH regards!!! Mark

Well done!

John Scott

Thank you, John and Mike! This is great information. This again points to the educational value of the IHC site, and contributions from all it's members!
Cheers!
Joel Sarich

i would enjoy seeing a picture of his home , was it modest or... ?

Pete,

I believe the house is fairly substantial at almost 5,000 sq ft and is well constructed according to the county auditors records. There are also two smaller buildings/homes on the property at almost 900sq ft each that were built shortly after the main house.

I have not viewed the home as of yet but is on my list of things to do. I prefer to get a photo once the snow has melted and flowers and trees are in bloom. It will get done!

Mike

A picture of the Ball grave site around the time of his burial.

Photo of the grave site today from approximately the same view.

Webb C. Ball's Home as it stands in 2007.
Built in 1889

Information about the Home:
13 rooms
6 Bedrooms
3 Full Baths
1 Half Bath
4944 sq ft. not including the fully finished 3rd floor.

The front closed porch was added by a previous owner and is not original to the home. It originally had an open front porch.

There originally were two (2)small homes on the property (possibly maids quarters)approximately 900sq ft each but now there is only one and it has it's own address.

A built in swimming pool was added by a previous owner.

A garage was added by the current owner and sounded as if the city requested that he do so.

The home originally had an elevator but that was removed by a previous owner.

The last Ball to own the home was Wilma Ball Morgan (daughter). The home was sold in January 1955. Since 1955 it has had 5 owners.

Mike

Pool Side of the Home

The garage is just behind the pool side of the home and is attached to the back of the house by an enclosed walkway.
Behind where I was standing is the maids quarters/guest house.

The Maids Quarters/ Guest House

There is a crushed stone walkway and a beautiful garden that leads to the pool.

Exemplary work Mike!! I live on the western side of the county now, but worked in Cleveland Hts. for quite a while. What is the street address of Webb C. Ball house? Did you have the opportunity to speak to the current owners?

Again, A fine job.

Dave