The Biographical Dictionary of America/Ballard, Bland

BALLARD, Bland, pioneer, was born at Fredericksburg, Va., Oct. 16, 1761. When he was eighteen years old he emigrated to Kentucky, and became one of its earliest settlers. He joined a volunteer force which,. under Colonel Bowman, was attempting to free the district of the savages, and served in the expedition into Ohio. A year later he took part in George Rogers Clark's raid against the Piqua towns, and in 1794 he was with General Wayne at the battle of the Fallen Timbers. He was a man of great bravery, and became one of the most renowned of Indian fighters. In 1780 he was employed by George Rogers Clark to explore the banks of the Ohio river from the Falls, at what is now Louisville, to the mouth of the Salt river, and thence to the site of the present town of West Point. Ballard's most harrowing experience was while witnessing the slaughter of his father, mother and two sisters by a party of fifteen Indians. A younger sister escaped, after being scalped and left for dead. Ballard was too late to save their lives, but from his place of concealment killed nearly half of the Indians. After peace had been restored, Ballard was sent several times as a representative to the state legislature. The county of Ballard, Ky., and its capital, Blandville, were named in his honor. He died Sept. 5, 1853.