Ball Brothers
Encyclopedia
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
through their philanthropy and business. They were instrumental in the creation of Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
, and Ball Memorial Hospital
Ball Memorial Hospital
Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital is the only hospital in the city of Muncie, Indiana. It was founded by the Ball Brothers, hence the name Ball Memorial Hospital...
, and Minnetrista
Minnetrista
Minnetrista, also known as Minnestrista Cultural Center, is a museum and cultural center located in Muncie, Indiana with exhibits and programs that focus on nature, local history, gardens and art...
, a museum in Muncie. Included in the Minnetrista Heritage Collection are a large archival collection documenting the family and business, approximately 1,000 Ball fruit jars, and other Ball products.
The Ball family's legacy continues today through the Ball Brothers Foundation and the George and Frances Ball Foundation, both located in Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
.
From oldest to youngest, the Ball Brothers were:
- Lucius Lorenzo Ball (1850–1932) was a physician with a private practice in Muncie. While not actively involved in day-to-day business, Lucius was on the company's board of directors. He also served as company physician.
- William Charles Ball (1852–1921) was an effective salesman for the company. He also served as company treasurer.
- Edmund Burke Ball (1855–1925) was co-founder of Ball Brothers Glass with brother Frank. He served as company secretary and treasurer.
- Frank Clayton Ball (1857–1943) was co-founder of Ball Brothers Glass with brother Edmund. He was the first company president, serving for 63 years.
- George Alexander Ball (1862–1955) served the company as bookkeeper, secretary, treasurer, vice president, president and board chairman. He was also involved in politics, and was a Republican national committeeman from Indiana for several years.
Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company (Ball Corporation) was founded by Frank C. and Edmund B. Ball, who borrowed $200 from their uncle George Ball to buy the Wooden Jacket Can Company of Buffalo, New York. Within a few years, they added glass production to the business and, in 1884, produced their first fruit jar. To take advantage of the abundance of natural gas in East Central Indiana, the brothers built a factory in Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
in 1887. Over the course of the next ten years the brothers closed the factory in Buffalo and they all moved to Muncie, Indiana.
In 1998, Ball Corporation headquarters moved to Broomfield, Colorado
Broomfield, Colorado
The City and County of Broomfield is a prominent suburb and tier of the Denver metropolitan area in the State of Colorado of the United States. Broomfield has a consolidated city and county government which operates under Article XX, Sections 10-13 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado. The...
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