James Ward
James Ward, a prominent resident of Walnut Township, Pickaway County, is a member of the well-known grain firm of Ward & Miller, who carry on an extensive business at Ashville. He is a native of Fairfield County, this State, his birth occurring October 16, 1844. His parents, Peter and Mary A. (Greek) Ward, were natives of Ohio; the father is now deceased. Great-grandfather William Ward emigrated from England to tlie United States previous to the Revolutionary War, settling in Virginia. The family came to Ohio in 1802, and located in what is now known as Walnut Township, Pickaway County. Four years later, a log cabin was erected on the farm which is the property of our subject, and this the family occupied until 1857. That rude structure is still standing and used by our subject as a tool-house.
Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs.Peter Ward six survive, namely: Catherine, Mrs. Sidney J. Ward; Jacob; Eliza, Mrs. Wood; James, David, and Mary E., Mrs. Milton Morral. The father of our subject was killed by a runaway team in Allen County, this State. The mother still survives and makes her home at Carey, this State. James Ward was only four years of age when his parents came to Allen County, and had reached the age of twelve when he made this county his home. After the death of his father, our subject was taken into the home of his married sister, Mrs. S. J. Ward, with whom he resided until reaching his majority. His primary studies were conducted in the comnon schools of his district, and were later supplemented by an attendance of two terms at the Normal School at Lebanon. He fitted himself to become a teacher, and followed that occupation for some sixteen winters and two summers, conducting the district school with signal success.
March 9, 1876, Mr. Ward was united in marriage with Harriet Cromley, who was a native of Walnut Township, this county. She was a daughter of Stephen Cromley, an early settler of the above-named township, where he was a highly respected citizen. They have been granted a family of two children, Mettie and Myrtle, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Harriet Ward died December 6, 1882, sincerely mourned by all her friends and neighbors.
The original of this sketch is the proprietor of two hundred and fifty-eight acres of valuable land, located on section 17 and which bears all the improvements in the way of buildings and machinery which are known to modern agriculture. Mr. Ward is veiy prominent in his community and was candidate two different times for Director of the Infirmary. His defeat was owing to the large Democratic majority in the county, he being a stanch Republican. Socially, our subject is a Mason, and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grange. During the late Civil War, he was a soldier in the one hundred days' service, joining Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Infantry. His regiment operated with Grant in Virginia, and at the expiration of his term of service, our hero was honorably discharged, having earned the appellation of Corporal. Mr. Ward is public-spirited and enterprising and possesses those personal characteristics whlcli make him warm friends and stanch adherents.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]