 William Rankin Ballard was born to Levi Ward Ballard (founder of Auburn, Washington) 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.