Acton Memorial Library
Civil War Archives

WARREN BALL DEAD
——
A Soldier in the Civil War and a Veteran Actor

Warren Ball, veteran soldier and actor and a well known figure in Maynard for a number of years, died at the home of Herbert Fowler Friday morning after an illness of about a week. Death was caused by bronchial pneumonia. Mr. Ball was born in Lowell December 27, 1829, but removed with his parents to Concord when quite young. He received his education in the Concord schools and worked for a time as a machinist, meanwhile cultivating a voice which later made him one of the leading minstrel men of the country.
   His first venture on the stage with a traveling musical company with which he remained six years, touring the country from one end to the other. By living frugally he amassed quite a little money and being naturally ambitious he located in Milwaukee, where he branched out as a theatrical magnate. He lost his theatre by fire after a brief time an as the property was not insured he was left penniless. He returned to Concord and opened a harness shop, where he remained until “Comical” Brown, then one of the premier minstrel men in the country offered him an engagement with his company, which was accepted. Mr. Ball traveled with this company and later with the Dexter & Allen company making quite a name for himself. He was also at one time the leading singer in a German Catholic church in Milwaukee.
   His war experience was with Co G 5th Mass. Regiment and later with the 47th Mass. regiment. At the close of the war he went into the harness business in South Acton. Twenty years ago he came to Maynard and worked for a time as a harness maker but for a number of years he has not worked.
   Mr. Ball’s musical ability was a recognized feature of all tho [sic] entertainments in Maynard years ago and even up to the time of his death it was apparent that this knowledge had always remained with him. Mr. Ball was a member of a very old family tracing back his ancestors to four brothers who came to this country in 1640. He had two great grandfathers in the Revolutionary war, one of them being the immortal Maj. John Buttrick. The funeral services which were held in South Acton, took place on Sunday and were quite largely attended.