Le Roy Gazette
Le Roy, Genesee County, New York.
Wednesday, February 17, 1892

Major Gansons's daughter died early this morning age 84 years

Mrs. Luseba Ballard, mother of the late Randolph Ballard, died this morning about six o'clock of pneumonia, aged 84 years. The funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon at three o'clock at the residence of S.P. Hooker. Rev. Pierre Cushing will officiate. Mrs Luseba Ballard was born April 4, 1808, and was probably the oldest native born inhabitant of the town of Le Roy, as she was born six years before its formation under the present name, and while it was part of the town of Caledonia. She was the daughter of Maj. Benjamin Ganson and Nancy Hascall. Her father was one of the most prominent of the early settlers, being a son of Captain John Ganson, who emigrated to this "Genesee country" in 1798. Maj. Ganson served the entire was with Great Britain in 1812, and personally led the sortie against Fort Erie.

Mrs. Ballard was married at the age of fifteen to James Ballard, who died at Fort Hall in July 1852, while on his way overland to California with two of his sons.

Mrs. Ballard was the mother of eight children and survived them all. She lived within this town her entire lifetime except five years passed at Niagara Falls and saw its growth from an unbroken wilderness.

For the last five years her mind was enfeebled by age, had gradually failed. She happily had never realized the death of her son Randolph, two years ago.

Mrs. Ballard, during her long life, encountered many trials, but the difficulties under which she labored during the earlier part of her life only served to show her forceful character and the rugged perseverance which the early settlers of this nation possessed in such marked degrees. Her whole life was devoted to her family. She was a member of the Episcopal church for many years.

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The Daily News
Batavia, Genesee County, New York.
Thursday, February 18, 1892

Aged Resident of Le Roy Dead.

LE ROY, Feb. 18. - Mrs. Luseba Ballard, mother of the late Randolph Ballard, died early yesterday morning of pneumonia, aged 84 years. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 3 o'clock from the residence of S. P. Hooker on Main street. Mrs. Ballard was born April 4, 1808. She was the daughter of Major Benjamin Ganson and Nancy Hascall. She was married at the age of fifteen to James Ballard, who died in 1852 at Fort Hill while on his way overland to California with two of his sons. Mrs. Ballard was probably the oldest native born inhabitant of Le Roy, as she was born six years before its formation under its present name, or while it was a part of Caledonia. She was the mother of eight children and survived them all. Her father was one of the most prominent of the early settlers, being a son of Captain John Ganson, who emigrated to this country in 1798. She was a life long resident of Le Roy except five years passed at Niagara Falls.

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