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The Ball brothers were five American industrialists and philanthropists, responsible for founding the Ball Corporation, and funding the institution that would become Ball State University as well as a number of other projects in their community of Muncie, Indiana. The Ball brothers, best known for their home canning jars, first went into business together in 1880. Their parents, Lucius Styles Ball (1814-1878) and Maria Polly Bingham Ball (1822-1892) had six sons and two daughters: Lucina Amelia, Lucius Lorenzo, William Charles, Edmund Burke, Frank Clayton, Mary Frances, George Alexander, and Clinton Harvey, who died in infancy. The family was raised in eastern Ohio and in upstate New York. After the brothers moved from New York to Muncie, Indiana, in 1885, due to the abundance of natural gas in the area, the Ball Corporation continued to prosper, and the Ball family made a number of philanthropic investments in the community. The first factory to produce canning jars, known sometimes as "Ball jars"〔(Ball Mason Jars ), Mason Jars Headquarters〕 due to their prolific manufacture and use, was opened in 1888. Since then, the company has subsequently expanded and diversified the enterprise. By 1937, the value of the company was estimated at nearly $7 million. In the following decades, the brothers funded in whole or in part Ball State University, Ball Memorial Hospital, the local YMCA, and the Minnetrista cultural center and golf course. The Ball brothers did not forget New York or the help of their uncle, George Harvey Ball, who shared the Ball family dedication to higher education and who founded Keuka College. The Ball brothers provided funds and land for Keuka College in New York (see below). == The brothers == *Lucius Lorenzo Ball (1850-1932) The eldest Ball brother was a resident of Muncie for 30 years. He was born in Greensburg, Ohio on March 29. Married to Sarah Rogers and received his degree from the University of Buffalo. As a doctor, he was very well known within the community and was a leading practitioner in medicine for the city. *William Charles Ball (1852-1921) William was born in Trumbull County, Ohio. When the Ball Brothers moved to Indiana, he remained in Buffalo, New York to close out affairs. He finally moved to Muncie in 1897. He married Emma Wood Ball. William was the secretary for the Ball Company. Like his brothers, he was heavily involved in the political world of Muncie. *Edmund Burke Ball (1855-1925) Edmund Burke was also born in Ohio and traveled to Muncie with his wife, Bertha. Edmund served as treasurer of the corporation and was one of the original co-founders with his brother, Frank. *Frank Clayton Ball (1857-1943) Frank Clayton was the President of the Ball Brothers Corporation. He was born in Greensburg, Ohio. Like the other Ball brothers, Frank took an interest in the public affairs of the community in Muncie. Frank was also president of the Muncie YMCA. *George Alexander Ball (1862-1955) George Alexander was also treasurer of the corporation. His interest in the glass manufacturing company was quickly identified after its inception. The youngest of the ball brothers, George joined the Ball Corporation in 1883, at the age of 21. He was married to Frances Woodworth. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ball Brothers」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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