The gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connection enjoys worthy prestige as one of the honored citizens of Cadillac and for a number of years he has been actively identified with the varied interests of the city, occupying at the present time an important position with one of its largest business establishments. His well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of large and responsible trusts, together with his sound judgment and sterling integrity, have brought him confidence and prosperity, and his life fitly demonstrates what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition who places upon honorable endeavor its true value. In every relation of life he commands the respect and confidence of his fellow men, and without a brief record of his life this biographical compendium of Wexford county would not be fully complete.

Henry Ballou was born in Otsego, Allegan county, Michigan, June 7, 1854, the son of Byron and Hannah (Eldred) Ballou. The father was for many years a business man of Otsego, but in 1876 left that place and moved his family to Cadillac where he engaged in mercantile pursuits until failing health obliged him to turn his interests over to other hands and retire from active life. Coming to this place in a comparatively early day, he became quite an influential factor in the business affairs and material growth of the town and as long as he lived his interest in its welfare and faith in its future advancement never wavered. He served two years as postmaster and was one of the leading Republicans of the county, having also been noted as a politician of considerable prominence for a number of years before taking up his residence in this part of the state. While a citizen of Otsego he was especially active in political affairs and during the late Civil war was untiring in his efforts to uphold the cause of the Union and induce young men to take up arms in defence of the nation's honor. Byron Ballou departed this life in Cadillac and left to his descendants the memory of a good name, which they prize among their most valued possessions; his widow still survives, as do also four of his five children, of whom the subject of this review is the third in order of birth.

Henry Ballou grew up under the sturdy, invigorating discipline and environments of the home in Otsego, and received a common school education in the schools of that city, subsequently completing a business course in a commercial college at Grand Rapids. In 1872 he came to Cadillac as clerk for his brother, Lorenzo Ballou, who here established a store which for several years was conducted as a branch of the main establishment in Otsego. After remaining with the above business concern until 1877, he severed his connection with the same and entered the employ of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad where he remained for two years, when he entered the company of Cobbs & Mitchell, for which firm he served as bookkeeper, until his promotion to the superintendency a few years later, a place he has since held. As general superintendent of the large and far reaching business of Messrs. Cobbs & Mitchell, he has demonstrated executive abilities of a high order, and his career in this important and responsible station has been crowned with usefulness and sustained by the continued and unqualified approval of his employers. Mr. Ballou is a thorough-going, enterprising business man, happily endowed by nature with those qualities essential to successful leadership in large undertakings and in every relation to which called his integrity, absolute reliability and sterling worth have won the confidence not only of those in whose welfare he has been directly interested, but also of the general public as well. He has gained a reputation as a man well equipped with solid business attainments, but above this he has ordered his life on a high plane, having a deep sense of his stewardship, a just appreciation of the responsibilities that canopy every life and true regard for the esteem in which he is held by his fellow men.

Mr. Ballou was married in Cadillac, January 11, 1881, to Miss Sarah A. Cornwell, of Cadillac, the union being blessed with children as follows Maude Z., Kate H., Dora, Henry and Elton, the last named dying at the age of nine months. Mr. Ballou has been honored by his fellow men of Cadillac by being elected to different positions of trust, in all of which he discharged his duties faithfully and well, thus justifying the confidence reposed in his integrity and ability. He served as city clerk two terms, represented his ward in the common council and for several years labored zealously for the educational interests of the town as a member of the school board. He has long been active and prominent in the social and club life of Cadillac, is equally interested in religious and benevolent enterprises and all worthy means for the moral improvement of the community are sure to enlist his influence and material support. His name adorns the records of Cadillac Lodge No. 46, Knights of Pythias, and the lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen, and as a communicant of the Presbyterian church his life presents a commendable example of applied Christianity, being one of the leading members of the congregation worshiping in Cadillac, in which organization his wife is also a faithful and zealous worker.
His political preference is for the Republican party, but he is by no means a partisan in the sense the term is generally understood and he would much rather be known as a business man and private citizen than to assume any official responsibilities or accept any public distinctions his fellow citizens might bestow upon him. Mr. Ballou is a man of strong convictions and positive character, but withal genial and companionable, and by reason of his intelligence, integrity and business success holds a warm and abiding place in the hearts of those with whom he associates. Being in the prime of vigorous physical and mental manhood, his star of usefulness is still in the ascendancy, the ardor of youth characterizing his actions as in years ago when he first began grappling with the practical problems of life. He has done well his part, seeking ever to improve his environment, and by the faithful performance of the duties coming within his sphere he has added greatly to the welfare of the community which is honored by his citizenship.