Colonel Charles L. Ballard Chaves County, New Mexico

Colonel Charles L. Ballard, a stockman at Roswell, Chaves county, and a veteran of the Spanish-American and Philippine wars, is a native of Texas and came to the territory in February, 1878, with his father, A. J. Ballard, who was a buffalo hunter and took up his residence at Fort Sumner. After a year he removed to Lincoln County, settling near Lincoln, where he engaged in stock raising and merchandising.

Colonel Ballard remained with his father until 1880, when he removed to Roswell and entered the employ of Captain Lea. In 1890 he began the stock business on his own account and has since conducted operations here as a ranchman and stock raiser save during the period of his military service. In 1898 he enlisted in a squadron raised in New Mexico, the regiment mobilizing at San Antonio, Texas. He was second lieutenant of the second squadron. Roosevelt joined the regiment at San Antonio and they proceeded to Cuba, Colonel Ballard serving throughout the period of military operations in that country. Later he was commissioned as second lieutenant to join the Eleventh Volunteers in the Philippines, and served there for two years, being mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant. He made a most creditable military record, owing to his loyalty and his valor.

Returning to the United States in 1901, Colonel Ballard resumed stock raising, to which he now gives his time and energies with good success. In 1901 he was appointed a member of the cattle sanitary board by Governor Otero, and at the last general election was chosen to represent his district in the territorial council. His political allegiance is given the Democracy and his opinions constitute a decisive factor in the local councils of his party and are not without weight in territorial affairs.

Back | New Mexico County Biographies

Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.

Please come back Again!!