edited by John F. Meginness; 1892, History of Lycoming County Pennsylvania CHAPTER XLI. LOYALSOCK, HEPBURN, AND ELDRED Chapter 41 selected paragraphs (Lycoming County Genealogical Society Chicago: Brown, Runk, 1892. F157.L9H57 1892).

Ball's Mills. - This settlement has been a noted landmark for years.

The history of its founder and his family may be briefly stated.

John Ball came to this country from England in 1793 and settled

near Hillsgrove. There he built a saw mill, but was accidentally

drowned the same year while bathing. He left four children: Anne,

the eldest, married a Mr. White and settled near Hillsgrove; John,

the second, located at Hughesville and his descendants still live

there; William was The third, and Mary, the fourth, died young.

William Ball was born, September 21, 1788, and died, July 8, 1866.

He married Miss Catherine Weisel June 20, 1811. She was born,

August 13, 1793, and died, December 25, 1869. They had nine children,

viz: Isaac, George, John, Samuel, Elizabeth, William, Mary Anne,

Joseph, and Sarah Jane. William settled at Ball's Mills some years

after be was married. In 1818 he commenced to build on what is known

as the " Home Site, " at Ball's Factory, and the next year be settled

there. The same fall he started a fulling mill. Some years afterwards

he built a clover mill and ran it four or five years. In 1838 the

woolen factory was erected, and in 1840 he built a saw mill for his

oldest son Isaac at Ball's Mills, two miles and a half above the

" Home Site." Before this, in 1831 or 1832, he built the saw mill

at the old home. He said that the clover mill paid the best of any

of his investments. He owned at one time 8SO acres, but at the time

of his death be only had 400, and his descendants own all of it

at the present time.

Samuel Ball commenced the manufacture of grain cradles in 1847, and

in 1866 he made his first shipment to St. Louis. In 1867 he built a

cradle factory, and in 1868 he shipped thirty dozen. After this he

always made his largest sales in the West, but lie also sold cradles

in smaller numbers all over the country.

Mr. Ball died in December, 1890, aged almost seventy; he was born,

January 23, 1821. He passed away within sight of the house where be

was born. The cradle shop of forty years ago is now a large and well

equipped factory. Many of the best and most useful devices in the

establishment were of his own invention. Mr. Ball served not alone

his own interests during his lifetime, but faithfully served the

community as well. He was a member of the school board for

Warrensville is the only village in the township. The story of the

origin of its name is as follows: In 1842, when there was talk of

applying for a postoffice, several persons met in the store of John

Hoffman, on Mill creek, and the question Warrensville, in honor of

General Warren, was proposed, of a name came up. while others

suggested Livingston. A vote was taken and Warrensville carried.

The postoffice was established July 25, 1842, named Warrensville,

and Samuel Torbert was appointed postmaster. His successors have

been as follows: John Curran, appointed April 30, 1844; Jonathan O.

Crawford, January 18, 1845; Michael Harlacher, August 15, 1846;

John Hoffman, May 9, 1848; John Aughenbaugh, September 10, 1850;

Joseph W. Milnor, June 19, 1851. The office was discontinued

October 13, 1855, re-established November 21, 1855, and Joseph W.

Milnor was re-appointed postmaster. Since that time his successors

have been as follows: Jacob P. Hoffman, appointed April 28, 1856;

Nathan B. Kimble, May 19, 186; Jacob P. Hoffman, April 30, 1858;

Samuel R. Casner, July 16, 1861; Jacob P. Hoffman, August 5, 1862;

John Griggs, January 12, 1863; Mark A. Champion, June 15, 1864;

Thomas L. Frymire, January 25, 18831 John L. Willits, May 12, 1891.

He is the present incumbent.

The land on which Warrensville stands was cleared in 1802 by Samuel

Carpenter. He erected a grist and saw mill and carding machine,

which were the first improvements of the kind in the settlement.

They proved of great service to the early settlers. These original

works have long since passed out of existence. The town of Warrensville

was laid out in 1841 by John Weisel, but never has been incorporated.

It is pleasantly situated and contains two stores and one Temperance

Hotel, kept by Isaac M. Else. There is one tannery, carried on by

E. W. Lundy, and two wagon maker and two blacksmith shops.

Chapter 41, History of Ball's Mills and Factories

William Ball was born, September 21, 1788, and died, July 8, 1866.