Oliver Goldsmith Ballard Family

Oliver Goldsmith Ballard was born on June 2 ,1844 to the marriage of H. Ira Ballard and Eliza Jane Robertson.  The 1850 census shows the family living in Concordia Parish.  Ira Ballard died about a year later when Oliver was just a young boy.  His mother would remarry on May 24, 1852 to Elihu Knight.

The 1860 census shows Elihu and Eliza Knight living in the Wallace Ridge community of Catahoula Parish with the following children:

Julia Ballard, 17
Oliver Ballard, 15
Francis Ballard, 13
Josephine Ballard, 12
Eliza Ballard, 9
Isabella Knight, 7
Martha Knight, 3 

On January 11, 1870, Oliver Goldsmith Ballard married Margaret M. Sargent.  Margaret was born on December 6, 1946 in Catahoula Parish.  She was the daughter of Joseph F. Sargent and Jeanette Jane Campbell.

Oliver Goldsmith Ballard died on August 19, 1919 and Margaret Sargent Ballard died on September 25, 1913.  Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.

The Lost Town of Benton in Catahoula Parish

The following story was found in my father's belongings and is believed to have been photocopied from Judge Jesse C. McGee's papers located in the Catahoula Parish Library in Harrisonburg and/or the parish courthouse.

The author's name is not included in the document. However, a notation within the body of the story states that the compiler's maternal grandmother was Mrs. Eliza Jane [Robertson] Knight.  Judge McGee's parents were Rose Evelyn Knight and James Knox McGee.  Rose Evelyn was the daughter of Eliza Jane Robertson and Elihu Knight.

Frank and Mary Haberstock Disch Family

Frank Disch was born in Baden, Wurtemburg, Germany on July 3, 1822.  He married Mary Haberstock who was born in Germany on April 22, 1831.

The couple arrived in America circa 1854.  The 1860 U.S. Census shows Frank, Mary and two of their six children living near the Trinity community in Catahoula Parish.  Frank's occupation is listed as shoemaker.

The 1870 U.S. Census shows Frank, Mary and their six children living in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The family moved back to Catahoula Parish where Frank Disch died on September 20, 1871.  He is buried in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Karen Klemm Pinckard.

On January 8, 1874, Mary Haberstock Disch married a second time to Steven W. Martin in Catahoula Parish. One child was born to this marriage, Fannie Martin.  Mary and Steven divorced by 1880 as the U.S. Census for that year shows Mary as divorced and head of household.

Mary Haberstock Disch died on March 4, 1924 and is buried in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  No tombstone photograph is available at this time.

The following children were born to the marriage of Frank Disch and Mary Haberstock:

1.  Charles John Disch was born on April 22, 1855.  He married Martha Knight who was born circa 1857 to the marriage of Elihu Knight and Eliza Jane Robertson.  John died before 1930 in Mississippi and Martha died between 1930 and 1940 in Mississippi.  Burial locations are unknown at this time.

Children born to the marriage of John and Martha Disch:

Frank Edward, 1880-1908
Mary E., 1884-? (m. Campbell)
John William, 1886-1920
James Louis, 1888-1967 (m. Rosa)
Mattie J., 1891-?

2.  Jacob "Jake" Godfrey Disch was born on January 1, 1857.  He married Allie Morgan who was born circa 1861 in Texas.  Jake died on May 19, 1923 and Allie died between 1910 and 1920.  Jake is buried in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  The location of Allie's burial is unknown at this time.  Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Karen Klemm Pinckard.

Children born to the marriage of Jake and Allie Disch:

Jewel L., 1887-?
Jessie Gadie, 1890-1973 (m. Columbus F. Randall, 1876-1970)
William H., 1895-1939 (m. Cordelia)
Mary, 1901-?

3.  Thomas F. Disch was born on October 24, 1860.  He married Mattie Dorsett who was born in Virginia on December 15, 1873.  Thomas died on December 19, 1908 and Mattie died on February 16, 1946.  Both are buried in the Franklin Cemetery in Franklin, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.  Tombstone photographs are unavailable at this time.

Children born to the marriage of Thomas and Mattie Disch:

Alexina, 1902-1977 (m. Gill)
Oran Dorsett, 1903-1945

Thomas E Sargent

4.  Mary "Mamie" Elizabeth Disch was born in 1864.  She married Thomas Edward Sargent who was born on June 18, 1852.

Thomas died on November 15, 1901 and is buried in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Karen Klemm Pinckard.

Following Thomas' death, Mamie remarried to James Govan Taliaferro who was a widower after the death of his wife, Sophronia Kirby.

James G Taliaferro

James Govan was born on August 9, 1861.  He died on October 29, 1922 and is buried in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.

Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Karen Klemm Pinckard.

No children were born to the marriage of Mamie Disch and James Govan Taliaferro.

Children born to the marriage of Mary "Mamie" Elizabeth Disch and Thomas Edward Sargent:

Edward Joseph, 1888-1931 (m. Nellie Irene Huff, 1890-1921)
Thomas William, 1889-1942 (m. Julia Maude)
Frances Janette, 1891-1975
Henry H., 1892-1932
Mamie, 1893-? (m. Olden)

5.  William George Disch was born on August 27, 1869.  He married first, Ada Bouie who was born on August 1, 1871.  Ada died on February 19, 1894 and is buried in the Harrisonburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Karen Klemm Pinckard.

Following the death of Ada, William married Adelaide Pesson who was born circa 1899 in Louisiana.  William and Adelaide made their home in New Iberia, Louisiana.

William George Disch died on October 12, 1957 and Adelaide Pesson Disch died on March 30, 1964.  Burial locations are unknown at this time.

Children born to the marriage of William and Adelaide Disch:

William Thomas, 1906-1982 (m. Margaret E. Winters, 1902-2002)
Mary Cecile, 1908-1988 (m. Abner W. Straughan, 1902-1958)
Mildred, 1913-1938
Rev. Msgr. John Henry, 1914-2006

6.  Dr. Henry J. Disch was born on May 29, 1870.  He married Henrietta "Nettie" Blackman Fairbanks who was born on June 13, 1874.  Henry died on October 24, 1924 and Nettie died on October 21, 1932.   Henry is buried in the Harrisonsburg Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.  Tombstone photograph was taken by FindAGrave member, Karen Klemm Pinckard.  Nettie is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.

Dr. Henry J. Disch

Nettie Disch

Children born to the marriage of Henry and Nettie Disch:

Willie Joseph, 1902-1990 (m. Ella Sue Harris, 1910-1996)
Mary E., 1904-1953 (m. Whatley)