Ward, George E. - Abt. 1866-1950

WARD

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/24/2013 at 15:00:38

Hawarden Independent, March 23, 1950

George E. Ward, 84, a former prominent farmer and stockman of Hawarden, died last Wednesday, March 15, at his home in Crescent City, Fla.

For many years Mr. Ward was an invalid and confined to a wheel chair. He had lost his sight.

Mr. Ward came to Hawarden as a young man from England and was said to have held a miner title of nobility.

When the Masonic Hall was built in Hawarden in 1910, Mr. Ward took an active part and pushed the lodge members to construct the building. When the building was completed their funds were well depleted so Mr. Ward bought the furniture for the hall.

Another instance when Mr. Ward came to a financial assistance in Hawarden was after the Central school building had been erected.

The town had been bonded to the limit for the construction of the building, but there still was no heating plant. Mr. Ward paid for the installation of the heating plant and then leased it to the school district.

After being in Hawarden for a time he bought a section and a half of land south of Hawarden in the Chatsworth vicinity, and later increased his land holdings to more than 1,000 acres. He built up a fancy Shorthorn cattle herd. The nucleus of the heard was bought in England, Scotland and Canada.

Mr. Ward made numerous trips to his native land. After he moved to Sioux City, his son Arthur took over the management of the farm and stock raising industry.

Mrs. Ward is an aunt of Mrs. Thomas Muth of Hawarden. Mrs. Muth, formerly Ethel Holden, was raised by her grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Tibbels, Mrs. Ward's mother.

After Mr. Ward went to Sioux City about 1914, he served as commission of public safety. While on the Sioux City council, Mr. Ward was largely instrumental in obtaining Garretsen park, including Herbert Quick ravine park, more familiarly known as South Ravine.

Mr. Ward was active in the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Eastern Star. He was a charter member and first master of Morningside lodge No. 615, A. F. and A. M. At the time of his death he was a member of the Consistory of Jacksonville, Fla. He was a charter member of the Loyal Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star of Hawarden.

About 25 years ago Mr. Ward moved to Florida. Survivors are the widow and six children, George Ernest of Sioux City, Dr. Henry Ward of Manhattan, Kan., Arthur of Riverton, Wyo.; Frank of Jacksonville; Mrs. Henry H. Storm of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Margaret Browning of Crescent City.