John S. Ballard

John Stuart Ballard (September 30, 1922 – April 21, 2012) was an American politician known for serving as the mayor of Akron, Ohio, for 13 years from 1966 until 1979. He was elected and reelected in 1963, 1967, 1971, and 1975 to become Akron's longest serving mayor until Don Plusquellic served as mayor from 1987 until 2015.[2]

John Stuart Ballard
Mayor of Akron, Ohio
In office
1966–1979
Preceded byEdward O. Erickson
Succeeded byRoy Ray
Personal details
BornSeptember 30, 1922
Akron, Ohio
DiedApril 21, 2012
EducationUniversity of Akron
University of Michigan Law School
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1943–1946 (Army)
RankLieutenant
UnitGeneral Patton's army in Africa[1]
Battles/warsWorld War II

Ballard also served as Summit County prosecutor between 1957 and 1964. Ballard was a graduate from the University of Akron and the University of Michigan Law School. During World War II, he served as an infantry lieutenant in General Patton's army. He also worked as a special agent with the FBI and practiced law in Akron.[3] As mayor of Akron, Ballard faced great challenges with the city losing 14 percent of its population in the 1970s along with race riots, labor strikes, and Vietnam War tension.[4] When he was elected, Ballard was the first Republican mayor of Akron since 1951.[5]

References
  1. "Akron ROTC Facts". Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  2. "Akron (Ohio). Mayor (1966-1979 : Ballard)". Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  3. "John Stuart Ballard obituary". Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  4. "Former Mayor John Ballard dies". Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  5. "10 Best Stories Blend Good and Bad". Retrieved 2021-04-02.
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