 |
|
 |
|
F. MARION WARD, one of the county supervisors of Benton county, was born in Ogle county, Illinois, April 9, 1856, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Hayes) Ward. The mother still resides at Vinton, at the age of seventy-six years, but the father died in October, 1898, at the age of sixty-seven. They were both from Ohio, the father being from Licking county, and they came to Illinois in their youth. They were married in Ogle county, where Samuel Ward owned a farm. This land they sold and bought in Benton county, Iowa, where at the time of his death Samuel Ward owned a half-section. He carried on his farm until fifteen years before his death, when he retired and lived in Vinton. He was first a Democrat, but subsequently became a supporter of the Republican party, and held various local offices. Besides F. Marion there were three sons and two daughters, namely: Mrs. J. W. Hanna, of Big Grove township; William E., of California; Albert C., of Vinton; Elizabeth, wife of F. S. Donaldson, of LaPorte, Iowa, and John E., of California.
In the winter of 1866-7 F. Marion Ward came with his parents to Benton county and was reared in Big Grove township, where he received his education. He has followed farming and stock-raising most of his life, and owns eighty acres in section 16, Big Grove township; he also operates additional land. Politically he is a Republican and has filled various township offices and he has held his present office of county supervisor since February, 1909. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Vinton and the Modern Woodmen of America, of Garrison. lie and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Garrison. He is an influential and public spirited citizen, and well known in the community.
Mr. Ward married first in 1878, Clara Hansen, who died June 6, 1892, aged thirty-five years, leaving two children, Mabel C. and C. Paul. Mabel married J. A. Bergen, of Big Grove township, and they are parents of five children. C. Paul, who is a farmer of Big Grove township, married Ruth, daughter of Levi Eggleston, of Eden township, and they have two sons. January 9, 1895, Mr. Ward married for his second wife Lizzie Smith, and they have four children, Helen F., Roscoe M., Dorothy M. and Rosella, all living at home.
 |
