N. R. Ward

WARD, EWING, BENNETT, THOMPSON

Posted By: Carolyn Cropper (email)
Date: 7/18/2006 at 17:56:57

N.R. Ward

N.R. Ward, whose death occurred at his home here Wednesday evening, October 29, was born in Starland, DeKalb county, Illinois, March 6, 1855, and his age at the time of his death was 69 years, 7 months and 24 days.

His parents were Marcine and Rachel (Babcock) Ward, both of whom were natives of Canada. In 1854 they moved to Dekalb county, Illinois, taking up their abode in the town of DeKalb, where the father worked as a shoemaker. Subsequently he moved to Missouri, later came to Adair county, Iowa and some years later established his home in Nebraska, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight children.

N.R. Ward received a common school education and after attaining his majority left the parental roof and followed farming as a renter for some years. In 1882 he moved to Nebraska and lived in that state about thirteen years. He homesteaded a farm and his first dwelling was a sod shanty, which remained his home for six years. He then sold the farm and for two years was engaged in merchandising, but again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and continued farming in Nebraska five years longer.

In the fall of 1894 he returned to Adair county and here cultivated a rented farm for three years before purchasing 130 acres in Richland township. He made substantial improvements including a modern house and good buildings for the shelter of grain and livestock. His undertakings as an agriculturist were attended with gratifying results and he was numbered among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of the community.

In 1876 Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Emma Ewing, a native of Adair county, and a daughter of T.M. and Elizabeth (Evans) Ewing, the former born in Ohio and the later in Wales. Mr and Mrs. Ward were the parents of eight children: Elsie M., who is deceased; Grace C., the wife of W.S. Bennett, New Lisbon, Wisconsin; Pearl, wife of George Thompson, Mt. Etna; Ralph M. and Fred E. both of whom have passed away; Avery and Floyd, who live on farms near here, and Ernestine, who is with her mother.

Politically Mr. Ward was affiliated with the Republican party and took an active interest in public affairs. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order and was a staunch believer in its teachings. He was also a member of the Ku Klux Klan. As a citizen he always gave encouragement to everything for the good of the community in which he lived. He had the most kindly regard for everyone with whom he came in contact and his friendship was valued highly by many.

The funeral was held in the Congregational church Sunday afternoon at two o'clock and was conducted by the Rev. Owen Thomas. The church was filled to overflowing with mourning friends who gathered to pay their last respects and many flowers gave silent testimony of the high esteem in which he was held. The body was laid to rest in the Union cemetery five miles southeast of town. All of the children who are now living were here to attend the funeral.

......from an unknown newspaper clipping found in a bible