Title: Clinton Ballard Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1921-1945

Creator:

• Ballard, Clinton, 1860-1946

Call Number: Green Bay Mss 11

Quantity: 0.8 cubic feet (2 archives boxes)

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Archives and Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library / Green Bay Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Papers of Wisconsin State Assemblyman (1909-1921) Clinton Ballard, including personal and some official correspondence, 1921-1929, two speeches made by Ballard in his retirement years (1941 and 1945), and miscellaneous printed material, most of it relating to Robert M. La Follette's presidential campaign of 1924. Ballard served in several public capacities including State Treasury Agent (1921-1925) and, by appointment of his life-long friend, Governer Fred R. Zimmerman, Superintendent of Public Property (1926-1928). The official correspondence contained in the papers concerns Ballard's activities in these positions. Correspondents include Zimmerman, La Follette, and Robert M. La Follette, Jr.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-gb0011

Clinton Ballard, a Progressive Republican and follower of Robert M. La Follette, Sr., was born in Outagamie County, Wisconsin on November 16, 1860. He ran the family farm after his father's death, and later became an organizer for the American Society of Equity. For 24 years, he served as a member of the Outagamie County Board.

In 1909, Clinton Ballard was elected to the position of State Assemblyman. He was re-elected in 1911, 1915, and 1919. In his last term, he suffered public derision when he stood with La Follette against America's entry into World War I. He became an ardent La Follette supporter and was involved in La Follette's 1924 campaign for the Presidency.

From 1921 to 1925, he served as State Treasury Agent. In 1926 when Fred R. Zimmerman was elected governor of Wisconsin, he appointed Ballard, a life-long friend, to the post of Superintendent of Public Property. Ballard held that post until Zimmerman's defeat in the fall of 1928; it was Ballard's last public office. He retired from political activity except to give an occasional speech.

When Clinton Ballard died in January 1946, Fred R. Zimmerman spoke at his funeral service.

The Clinton Ballard Papers contain personal and official correspondence, 1921-1929, and two speeches, 1941 and 1945. Of special interest in this collection are Ballard's letters from Robert M. La Follette, Sr., Robert M. La Follette, Jr., and Fred R. Zimmerman as listed below.

Name of Correspondent	Date of Correspondence
Robert M. La Follette Sr.	June 17, 1924
Robert M. La Follette Jr.	October 1, 1925
Robert M. La Follette Jr.	November 11, 1925
Robert M. La Follette Jr.	April 10, 1926
Fred R. Zimmerman	February 2, 1922; February 1922
Fred R. Zimmerman	April 4, 11, 1922
Fred R. Zimmerman	May 10, 21,1922
Fred R. Zimmerman	July 22, 1922
Fred R. Zimmerman	July 22, 1925
Fred R. Zimmerman	May 28, 1921
Fred R. Zimmerman	November 20, 1921
Fred R. Zimmerman	December 14, 1921

Acquisition Information

Presented by J.E. Ballard, Appleton, Wisconsin, December 21, 1953, and Harry Ballard, Menasha, Wisconsin, September 10, 1959.

Processing Information

Processed by L.R.H., October 11, 1965.

	Correspondence
Box   1	1921-1927 January
Box   2	1927 February-1929 January
Box   2	Speeches, 1941 and 1945
Box   2	Miscellaneous unsorted printed material