Bernie, I think father of this John H. BALLARD (b. November 1895 per MCAR 1900 census) was Henry BALLARD (b. December 1854, AR per MCAR 1900 census). And Henry appears to be husband of my great-aunt Mary Ann LUTHER (1863, AR - abt. 1881). Mary Ann is in 1870 MCAR census with her mother and family. My Aunt, Cleora {KING} ROBERTSON, thought Mary Ann buried at Gassville Cemetery, but no marker; so not located. Early in 2003, found Louis Alexander BALLARD (1 February 1881, AR - d. 9 November 1943, Santa Barbara, CA) in California Death Record Index -- with mother's maiden name of LUTHER. What a surprise! In 1900 MCAR census, he is married to Mamie { ? } (b. March 1883, AR). Household is adjacent or near to Henry BALLARD and wife Sarah J. I only extracted that census a few days ago and have not typed or posted it, so it's here around my desk. Just printed about nine pages of BALLARD miscellany so can read it for new clues. Again, you and I have relatives that "rubbed elbows." Following up on your query about DeSoto Township -- in that area (map drawn by Randy Hopper on page 412 of MCAR history book) are these: Rocky Hollow, Freck, Cedar Glade, Dillard, Mull, Rush, Hamlet. Located across top of above are: Watts, Cowan, Bearden -- with Buffalo (at confluence of Buffalo and White Rivers) to the East of Bearden. It appears Rush, known as mining location, is in DeSoto Township. Peggy