http://www.usgennet.org/usa/pa/county/lycoming/history/Chapter-55.html

GEORGE W. BALL was born, June 19, 1814, in that part of Loyalsock township

now known as Hepburn. His father came from England with his parents, who

located at Hillsgrove, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. When his father was

five years of age occurred the death of the grandfather. He was bound out

to learn the, trade of a millwright, to a Mr. Shane. The first work for

himself was in a saw and grist mill in Hepburn township, which he built for

Mr. Weisel. He carried on this business for five or six years, and also did

a general millwright business. In 181(J he purchased the right of a stream

known as Mill run, and built a fulling mill for fulling and coloring cloth

and finishing the same for use. After this he purchased a carding mill to

use in connection with the first. About the year 1838 he built a woolen

mill at his place of residence. In 1812 he was married to Catherine Weisel,

who was born at the Rising Sun Inn, which is located in Berks county about

forty miles from Philadelphia. As a result of this union there were born

eleven children: Isaac; George W.; John; Elizabeth; Samuel; Mary Ann;

Jacob; William; Joseph; Sarah, and Jane.

Our subject, George W. Ball, received a common school education, and

from about the age of seven years her age more or less work around the

fulling mill owned by his father. After a time he learned the carding of

wool and rolls for spinning. When his father bought the woolen mill he went

there and carried on the business for twenty years. He then sold to his

brothers, and in 1860 purchased the farm upon which he now resides, and

moved upon the same in 1861. It is a fine farm, containing, about 115

acres, eighty of which are under cultivation. His wife’s maiden name was

Anna Harmon, who was born in Williamsport, a daughter of George and Polly

Harmon. Mr. Ball is a Democrat, and he and wife attend the Presbyterian

church.