James Ward

  General Notes:

From the "History of Pickaway County" by Hon. Aaron R. Van Cleaf 1906

JAMES WARD has been a prominent resident of Pickaway County since 1857. For many years he was actively engaged in farming in Walnut township, where he still owns a large estate; for the past two years, however, he has been a resident and leading business man of Ashville, being president of the Citizens' Bank and extensively interested in the grain business. He was born October 16, 1844, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of Peter and Mary Ann (Greek) Ward.

Peter Ward and his wife were both natives of Fairfield County. In the spring of 1849 he moved to Allen County, where he resided for four years, being killed in 1853 by a team. William Ward, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of England who came to this country and first settled in Virginia. In 1802 he moved to Pickaway County, which at that time was included in Ross County. William Ward, grandfather of James Ward, was born in Virginia and upon coming to Ohio settled in Pickaway County; later he married and moved into Fairfield County.

James Ward, the subject of this sketch, was compelled to leave home at an early age because of the death of his father. He went to the home of his brother-in-law, Sidney J. Ward, at 12 years of age and bound himself to his brother-in-law until his 21st year, under the condition that he was to he given a horse, bridle, saddle and a suit of clothes, which he received in 1865. He received his early education in the common schools and afterward took a special course in the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, preparing himself for teaching. After leaving school, he engaged in farming and also taught school for 16 winters. Since then he has devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. He finally, in 1878, bought the farm where he had lived as a boy and as a tenant, paying $114 per acre, and having 10 years to pay for the same. He continued to be a resident of the farm until 1904.

In August, 1863, Mr. Ward enlisted in the Ohio National Guard for five years and was made corporal in Company F, 92nd Regiment. On May 2, 1864, he was called into the United States service for 100 days, as a member of Company C, 155th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served until August 27th, when he was discharged at Camp Dennison. He was discharged from the Ohio National Guard, May 1, 1866, by act of the State Legislature.

Mr. Ward was married in 1876 to Harriet Cromley, a daughter of Stephen Cromley. They had two children, both of whom died during infancy. Mrs. Ward died December 6, 1882. In 1893 he was married to Hannah L. McCan, a daughter of James McCan, who is a resident of Pickaway County. Mr.. Ward is prominent in Masonry, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Circleville. He is also a member of Lodge No. 747, I. O. O. F., at Ashville; Nebraska Grange, No. 64, of Walnut township; and W. H. Morral Post, No. 167, G. A. R., of Ashville.

Mr. Ward started in life a very poor boy and is now a man. of large means, and takes a very active interest in all movements that tend toward the advancement of the town and

James married Harriet Cromley, daughter of Stephen Cromley and Unknown, in 1876. (Harriet Cromley died on 6 Dec 1882.)

James next married Hannah L. McCan, daughter of James McCan and Unknown, in 1893.