Addie L. Ballou: Spiritualist Reformer, Poet, and Artist

by Alice Allan

Addie L. Ballou is mentioned in articles on suffrage as a California contemporary of Cora Foltz and Laura de Force Gordon. And listed as the artist who painted the official portrait of the 18th governor of California, Henry Harrison Markham. We know she traveled to Melbourne, Australia to study the paranormal, to lecture on reform, and to stay in the mansion of Thomas H. Stanford.

So why haven't we heard of Addie, the mother of four? Or Addie the wife who believed in reform? Or the poet who left a trail of bread crumbs to her heart and a score of descendants who inherited her drive and artistic abilities? Could it be ... she followed her heart, not necessarily the rules of the day? Or that she was ahead of her time, not appreciated by her family, and stubborn as all get out?

Based on family diaries, her published autobiographical poetry, and solid research, this narrative biography gives us a rare insight into the life of Addie L. Ballou. She was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, April 29, 1838, the fifth child of Alexander Hamilton Hart and Polly Eldredge and rebelled for good causes, left a legacy we need to commemorate. It's time.

418 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2011

Reviews

[Mehreen Ahmed]

This is a well researched biography of American spiritual reformist Addie Ballou. What attracted me most about this book is Alice Allen, the writer's dedication to research methodology which would stand up to scrutiny. When I examine her sources, I find that they have been collated through a credible source of interviews with Mrs Ballou's descendants, her original diary from the year 1873 which had detailed description of her reformist movement. The writer spent two years in deciphering her writing, culling important data for this very important historical puzzle.

Addie Ballou's movement rose against all odds when women were oppressed. Not only that their opinion was discredited, they were legally barred to voice one. Her conversation in the first chapter with her father speaks about her intention to become a healer and a lecturer for a Spiritualist Society. This chapter also elaborates the treatment she receives from her father-in-law who denies her rights to see her own children who were with her father-in-law until her her husband's return from the war. Addie divorces him later proving an act of great courage. Her struggles and sufferings throughout the book speak volumes of how women were treated back in the 19th century. However, this movement with the Spiritualist Society was carried with much pride and perseverance - struggles and freedom described in engaging storytelling sequence.

[Pamela]

I've read this novel several times. It is the story of my great-great-great grandmother and I'm proud to call her a relative. I too am an artist and I had the privilege of going to see her painting in the Sacramento Capital building. It was a very moving experience to see it and know the one who painted it has the same blood as I do.