William Rankin Ballard
Captain William Rankin Ballard was a Seattle pioneer, banker, and land developer. He was one of the founders of the city of Ballard, Washington which was later annexed to the growing city of Seattle, Washington in 1907.
William Rankin Ballard was born to Levi Ward Ballard and Phoebe Anne McConnell August 12, 1847 in Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio He married Estella Thorndike on November 12, 1882 in Seattle, and died in Seattle February 4, 1929.
The title Captain derives from his command of the boat Zephyr that operated between Seattle and Olympia to the south.
Ballard High School was named for Capt. Ballard.
