Phil and Esther Ball

When Phil Ball, of the “original” Ball family, passed away on February 4, 2016, Minnetrista lost another good friend. He and his wife Esther, who died in January 2015, donated money to the Annual Campaign and Endowment Fund, and artifacts to the Minnetrista Heritage Collection. More than that, though, they gave of themselves.

Esther Ebrite and Phil Ball at their August 22, 1943 wedding.

Esther served Minnetrista on the Board of Governors for several years and on the Collections Committee for almost twenty-five years. In fact, Esther was one of the first people I met when I started working at Minnetrista many years ago. She graciously hosted a luncheon for the Collections Committee at her home. It was a wonderful introduction to Minnetrista hospitality for me. Until ill health forced Esther to resign from the committee several years ago, I relied on her kind counsel and her great stories about growing up and living in Delaware County.

Dr. Clay A. Ball’s microscope, 1912.

In 1994, the staff at Minnetrista began planning an original exhibit about the history of medicine in East Central Indiana. Of course, one of the first people we talked with was Dr. Ball. He provided us with medical books, instruments, and photographs from his father, Dr. Clay Ball, and he offered to give a program on the history of medicine in Delaware County. We were delighted as was the packed house of people who heard Dr. Ball’s true and hilarious look at medical history. He also gave the exhibit its title -- Strychnine, Quinine and Calomel: Medicine in Indiana.

Dr. Philip Ball’s U.S. Navy-issue wool hood, ca. 1942.

A letter to Esther Ebrite (Ball) from J. Edgar Hoover, promoting her to Assistant Cryptographer, April 29, 1943.

The many artifacts that Phil and Esther donated to the Heritage Collection help tell the story of their family and of the area. We have correspondence between Esther and J. Edgar Hoover. Yes, that J. Edgar Hoover. Esther worked for the FBI as a cryptographer during World War II. Then there is the U.S. Navy-issue wool hood that Phil wore during his military service as a ship’s doctor. The couple had a wartime wedding in August, 1943. We have an invitation and photographs. Esther also gave us her beautiful wedding dress, which had been featured in the 1944 winter issue of Vogue Magazine. They made a truly handsome couple.Thank you, Phil and Esther.

Esther Ebrite Ball’s wedding dress, 1943.