James Ball Diaries, 1883-1933

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Ball, James, b. 1861
Title
James Ball Diaries
Dates
1883-1933 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 volumes
Collection Number
Mss 282
Summary
This collection consists of three diaries kept by James Ball at different points in his life. Two of the diaries also contain accounting records. The first diary is from May 1906 to December 1908. The second runs from November 1913 to August 1915 but includes five pages of accounting from 1883-1884. The third, and largest, was written between September 1928 and July 1933. The diaries contain day-to-day observations of the sheep ranch, weather, James Ball's travels around Montana, visits from neighbors, work exchanged with neighbors, and other small community events.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Additional Reference Guides

Finding aid in the repository.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Sheep rancher James Ball was born in 1861 in Nebraska, the son of Irish immigrants. He moved west to Montana sometime in his early twenties. There he met his wife, Viola, who came to Montana from Michigan. The Balls bought land near Deer Lodge, Montana, and established a sheep ranch. Two sons and two daughters were born in the 1880s. The oldest daughter, Anna, died at the age of nine. The Ball family moved their sheep ranch to the Helena, Montana, area around 1910, and remained there until James Ball's retirement in the early 1930s. At least one son played an active role in the day-to-day workings of the ranch. At the height of the operation, the Balls were also involved with dairy cows, and had a business agreement with a creamery in Helena. After retirement the Balls moved to the city of Helena.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Sheep rancher James Ball was born in 1861 in Nebraska, the son of Irish immigrants. He moved west to Montana sometime in his early twenties. There he met his wife, Viola, who came to Montana from Michigan. The Balls bought land near Deer Lodge, Montana, and established a sheep ranch. Two sons and two daughters were born in the 1880s. The oldest daughter, Anna, died at the age of nine. The Ball family moved their sheep ranch to the Helena, Montana, area around 1910, and remained there until James Ball's retirement in the early 1930s. At least one son played an active role in the day-to-day workings of the ranch. At the height of the operation, the Balls were also involved with dairy cows, and had a business agreement with a creamery in Helena. After retirement the Balls moved to the city of Helena.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

All three diaries have been digitized and are available online via the Montana History Portal.

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes.

Preferred Citation

James Ball Diaries, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Jim Murray, 1967.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Volume
Volume 1 Diary, volume 1
transcript available
1906-1908
Volume 2 Diary, volume 2
transcript available
1883-1884 and 1913-1915
Volume 3 Diary, volume 3 1928-1933

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Community life--Montana--Lewis and Clark County
  • Community life--Montana--Deer Lodge
  • Irish Americans--Montana
  • Ranch life--Montana--Deer Lodge
  • Ranch life--Montana--Lewis and Clark County
  • Sheep ranchers--Montana--Deer Lodge--Diaries
  • Sheep ranchers--Montana--Lewis and Clark County--Diaries
  • Sheep ranches--Montana--Deer Lodge
  • Sheep ranches--Montana--Lewis and Clark County

Geographical Names

  • Montana--Description and travel

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries--Montana--Deer Lodge
  • Diaries--Montana--Lewis and Clark County

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top