Phineas D. Ballou (March 3, 1823 – January 16, 1877) was a Vermont businessman and political figure who served as mayor of the city of Burlington from 1868 to 1870.
[1] Business failures during the Panic of 1873 led to his decision to leave his family in Burlington and move to Omaha, Nebraska, where he engaged in several enterprises he hoped would enable him to recover, including a partnership in a brewery.
[1] According to others on the scene, Ballou had inspected a gold mining claim and stayed overnight at a Gayville stagecoach station, intending to travel back to Deadwood the following day.
[1] During the night, he went outdoors to relieve himself, mistook the shack covering a mineshaft opening for an outhouse, and accidentally fell about 35 feet.
[2] Ballou was long affiliated with Freemasonry, including the Scottish Rite and Knights Templar, and served in leadership positions at several lodges in Burlington.
[1] Ballou was also active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and served as grand master of the organization in Vermont.