Melvin was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Ballard, in Whitesburg, Tennessee, 1 March. [Melvin's year of birth might be 1882 or 1884. The 1900 census shows the birth year as 1884. His age on other census records show a possible year as 1881-1882. On the WWII Draft Registration Card, Melvin lists his year of birth as 1882. His death certificate also shows the year as 1882.]

Standard Certificate of Death. No. 10489.
State of Oregon.
Name: Melvin Marvin Ballard.
Usual Residence: 714 16th St., Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon.
Place of Death: Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon.
Date of Death: 7 October 1950.
Date of Birth: 1 March 1882.
Age: 68.
Birthplace: Whitesburg, Tennessee.
Name of Father: James Ballard.
Name of Mother: Unknown.
Name of Wife: Nanna.
Hospital: St. Mary's Hospital.
Burial Date: 10 October 1950.
Cemetery: Greenwood Cemetery, Astoria, Oregon.

According to the obituary of Melvin's wife, Nana, says they were married in Rogersville, Tennessee on 24 November 1904.

Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002.
Name: Melvin Ballard.
Gender: Male.
Marriage Date: 28 November 1905.
Marriage Place: Hawkins County, Tennessee.
Spouse: Nannie Sitser.
Page 77.
I solemnized the Rite of Matrimony between the within named parties on the 28th day of November 1905.
W. W. Phillips, J. P.
[Note: Nannie signed her name on the marriage form as Setser, not Sitser.]

Soon after Nannie's sister died, Melvin and Nannie adopted Nannie's sister's daughter, Mary. Mary and Nannie's son, Floyd J., a son from her first marriage, are shown on the 1910 census. The same census shows that Nannie had given birth to 2 children and only one was still living. At this time, it isn't known if Melvin had a biological child.

The 1900 census shows Melvin with his parents, and siblings, in Hawkins County, Tennessee. His father is listed as Jim and his mother is listed as Pilphia.

1910 Census, Tennessee, Knox, Civil District 8, District 120, Sheet 24B.
BALLARD, Melvin M., Head, age 29, Marriage #1, married 4 years, born in Tennessee, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Virginia.
BALLARD, Nannie M., Wife, age 31, Marriage #2, married 4 years, 2 children born, 1 child living, born in Tennessee, father born in Virginia, mother born in Tennessee.
BALLARD, Floyd J., Son, age 14, Single, born in Tennessee, both parents born in Tennessee.
BALLARD, Mary K., Daughter, age 5, Single, born in Tennessee, both parents born in Tennessee.
BALLARD, Hugh, Brother, age 18, Single, born in Tennessee, both parents born in Tennessee.

1920 census, Wahtonsa Township, Fort Dodge City, Webster County, Iowa, 3 January.
Ballard, M., Head, Male, White, age 38, Married, Born in Tennessee, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Virginia, Tile Setter, Tile Plant.
Ballard, Nannie, Wife, Female, White, age 38, Married, born in Tennessee, father and mother both born in Virginia.
Ballard, Mary, daughter, Female, White, age 15, Single, attended school, born in Tennessee, father and mother both born in Tennessee.
Ballard, Hugh, Brother, age 28, Married.

1930 census, Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, District 30.
BALLARD, Melvin, Head, age 48, Married, married 19 years, born in Tennessee, both parents born in Tennessee, Occupation: Salesman, Merchant.
BALLARD, Nana, Wife, Female, age 49, Married, married 22 years, born in Tennessee, both parents born in Tennessee.
[Research Note: On the same page, the census lists Melvin and Nana Ballard's adopted daughter, Mary, her husband Ray Ponsness and their daughter Betty. Ray's occupation is Salesman, Merchant.]

1940 US Federal Census, Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon.
Melvin Ballard, Head, age 58, Married, born in Tennessee, residence in 1935: Sioux City, Iowa, Salesman, Dry Cleaner.
Nana Ballard, Wife, age 54, Married, born in Tennessee, residence in 1935: Sioux City, Iowa, no occupation.

The census records show Melvin had worked in the manufacturing industry, had been a tile setter and a salesman. His death certificate shows he was a truck driver for a laundry.

WWII Draft Registration Card.
Name: Melvin Marvin Ballard.
Place of Residence: 789 Exchange St., Astoria, Clatsop, Oregon.
Age in Years: 60.
Date of Birth: 1 March 1882.
Place of birth: Whitsburg, Tennessee.
Name & Address of person who will always know your address: Nannie Ballard, 789 Exchange St., Astoria, Oregon.
Employer's name and address: Holmes Dry Cleaner.
Place of Employment or business: 512 Bond St., Astoria, Clatsop, Oregon.
Local Board No. 1 Clatsop County, May 7, 1942.

Obituary
Evening Astorian-Budget, Astoria, Oregon, Saturday, October 7, 1950, page 2, col. 4.

"Melvin Marvin Ballard
Melvin Marvin Ballard, 68, of 714 Sixteenth street, died at a local hospital early Saturday morning.
He was born in Whitesburg, Tenn., but has resided in this community for the past 12 years, where he worked for the Pantorium Cleaners for several years.
Ballard is survived by his wife, Nanna, and a daughter, Mrs. Ray Ponsness, both of Astoria.
Further details of his life and funeral arrangements will be announced later by the Luce Funeral Home."

Obituary
Evening Astorian-Budget, Astoria, Oregon, Monday, Oct. 9, 1950, page 2. Additional information extracted from Obituary section.

Melvin Marvin Ballard
Ballard is survived by his wife, Nanna, and a daughter, Mrs. Ray Ponsness, both of Astoria; sister Mrs. Timmie Strocken, Fort Dodge, Ia.; two brothers, William and Floyd, both of Tennessee, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Luce Funeral Home, Rev. O. R. Cross will officiate, burial in Greenwood Cemetery.