By 1873, thirty-five-year-old Addie L. Ballou (1838-1916) had already served as a nurse during the Civil War, worked as a correspondent for newspapers, and become a sought-after speaker on social reform as a practicing Spiritualist missionary. Logging nearly five thousand miles in 1873 alone, she referred to it as her "whistle missionary work." Newspaper accounts described her as having an Indiana complexion, corkscrew curls, and radical "progressionist" principles. They also said she was highly inspirational and eloquent, a woman's-righter, a disciple of Victoria Woodhull, and an enthusiastic participant in the "Ballot-shrieking Sisterhood." They also mentioned Ballou was a clairvoyant with considerable elocutionary power. After lecturing on "The Immortality of the Soul," she purportedly "delineated the character of one gentleman and two ladies, describing the spirits surrounding them, all of which were recognized. Her delineations and tests added much to the interest of the occasion." Did I, a descendant of hers, mention Addie Ballou was also the mother of four living children ranging in age from six to sixteen? Or that she was divorced-a single, working mom in 1873 way ahead of her time? And now that we have access to a personal diary of that adventurous woman, shall we take a peek inside? Addie would give us a resounding, "Be my guest!"
Born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, April 29, 1838, Addie Lucia Hart was the fifth child of Alexander Hamilton Hart and Polly Eldredge. In 1854 she married Albert Darius Ballou. Both served in the Civil War, farming out their three living children with relatives. After the war, and another child, the couple divorced in 1869. Addie continued her work as a practicing Spiritualist missionary, social reformer, and lecturer. In 1874, she moved to California, where she also pursued portrait painting. She died in San Francisco August 10, 1916.
