A big thank you to Sharon Niesen for sharing this photo.

Sharon's daughter, Sherri L. Czuchra restored this photo of her great-great grandmother.

According to the date written on this photo, November 3, 1884 and has a reference that it is a wedding photo. However, their wedding is recorded as November, 5, 1884 at St. Mary's Church in Bay City, Bay County, Michigan. Together, they raised 14 children.

Is it possible that they pulled their marriage license on the third or whoever wrote the date on the photo came as close to the actual date as they could remember?

This photo has been restored by their great-great granddaughter, Sherri L. Czuchra.

Louise and son, Frank Ballard

This photo is the courtesy of Sharon Niesen.

Louise Bengle Ballard
Born: Dec. 5, 1866 in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. Piqua is about 30 miles north of Dayton, Ohio.
Passed Away: Thursday, May 9, 1935 at her home located in Aloha, Cheboygan County, Michigan.
Daughter of : Joseph Bengle and Anna Genevieve L'Esperance. There are records that say her mother's last name is Sesperanek. I believe this mistake is an informant who did not know how to spell the last name correctly but it is the same person.

Photo taken by their great-great granddaughter,
Sherri L. Czuchra on August 14, 2011.

OBITUARY ~ In the newspaper, Wed. May 8, 1935.

LOUISE BENGLE BALLARD
Mrs. Thomas Ballard died last evening at her home at Aloha following a short illness. Her seven sons, two daughters and husband were at her bedside when she passed away. Although in decling health during the past year she was able to be active in her home and community until a few days ago.

Only last Saturday she returned from a three weeks visit in Detroit where she was the guest of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Kelly and also in Saginaw where she was called by the death of her son's wife. Last Wednesday she was taken seriously ill with mastoids, which resulted in her death.

She was born in Dayton, Ohio, December 5th, 68 years ago. Fifty years ago last November she became the bride of Thomas Ballard. Last year with the assistance of their nine children and their families they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Twenty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Ballard and their family moved to the vicinity of Aloha where they made their home ever since. Mrs. Ballard was held the pleasure of knowing her.

Besides her husband she is survived by two daughters; Mrs. Joseph Kelly of Detroit; Mrs. Paul Allaire of Aloha; seven sons; Frank; Aloha; Herbert, Saginaw; Herman, Alverno; Otto, Tower; Oscar and Floyd of Cheboygan; and Lawrence of Afton. Also two brothers; Peter and Charles Bengle of Windsor, Canada; 32 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Her body will be taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Allaire of Aloha where it will remain until the funeral services Monday at St. Charles church. Burial will take place at Alverno.

Notes: Her two brothers, Peter and Charles came from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

The obituary mistakenly reads that she was born in Dayton, Ohio, when in fact, she was born in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. Piqua, Ohio is about 30 miles north of Dayton, Ohio and is located on I-75 in the Southwest part of the State.

Louise was born Thursday, December 5, 1866 and married Thomas M. Ballard in Bay City, Bay County, Michigan on Wednesday, November 5, 1884. He is the son of Thomas Godfrey Ballard Jr. and Feliciane a.k.a. "Felicity" Moore. Grandson of Thomas Godfrey Ballard Sr. and Isabella a.k.a. Elizabeth Dubay.