Inscription on back reads, "Yours truly, John Ball and Lady, 21^st Mich. Infantry, Lookout Mt., 1862-1865."

Grand Rapids Newspaper, January 5, 1922

Muskegon—John Ball, eighty-four, one of this city’s oldest residents, died today. He was born in Germany, coming to Michigan in 1859. He was a Civil War man, serving as a private, Company G, Twenty-First Michigan Infantry. He was employed by some of the first saw mills of the city.

John Ball enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Infantry, August 6, 1862, at Grand Haven, for 3 years, age 18. Mustered Sept. 3, 1862. Mustered out at Washington, D. C., June 8, 1865.