This biography comes from vermontcivilwar.org
Luman Adolphus Ballou, 89, born in Danby, Vt., on July 1, 1844, passed away peacefully at his home in the Bessey addition [Stuart, Fla.] at 9:10 Saturday night, [July 15, 1933] rounding out a long and busy life, part of which was spent in Union ranks during the Civil War.
His daughter, Mrs. Marion Fisk, and granddaughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Giersbach, are on their way from Chicago to be with Mrs. Ballou. He is survived by his widow, daughter and son, two grandchildren two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at the Baptist church here Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock with the Rev. S.D. Carrin officiating. A brief service in his honor will be given by the American Legion. Pall bearers are A.R. Wallace, J.R. Pomeroy, Edwin Lower, A.I. Maxon, A.T. Hogarth and O.L. Baldwin. The body will be shipped by train to East Rupert, Vt. early Friday morning accompanied by Mrs. Ballou. Interment will take place at East Rupert beside his parents, brothers and sisters. A military committal service will be given.
Mr. Ballou was left an orphan at the age of 16, with a younger brother and sister as his responsibility. At the beginning of the Civil War, he found a safe place for the children, and attempted to enlist 3 times before he was accepted and at 19 he left for the Department of the Gulf, where he served 2 years and 4 months, and was honorably discharged with his regiment at Brownsville, Texas.
After his return, he married and began the life of a farmer. After his first wife’s death he was left with a little son. A few years later he married again and continued farming in Windham, Vt. where he developed a cattle and sheep trade and held several civic offices.
In 1912 he moved to Cleveland, O., where he resided until the fall of 1922 when the ill health of Mrs. Ballou made necessary that change to a warmer climate.
His last years were spent happily in Stuart among the orange trees and flowers. Fishing in the St. Lucie was his favorite sport.
Mr. Ballou wrote two books: “Wayside Musings” and “Echoes of Memories.” He also wrote several songs, among them “Only a Few Years Back.”
His health steadily declined for the past few years, and during the past two months he was confined to his bed. Cheerfulness and patience were his characteristics in life, and his only regret was that he became helpless. He appreciated his friends, was grateful for attentions, and asked for little.