Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-07-26

there not been good bank OF clay near
the old saw-mill at Urbana, thirty years
ago, Chatfeld, the potter, would not
have settled there, but would have gone
farther on? "What then?" Just this:
that America would have lad to-day,
in all probability, one sculptor less and
she has none too many who deserve the
name For in Urbana, at that time,
was the home Of Farmer Ward, whose
boy Quincy was nearing the age Of
twelve, and tall and strong enough, for
his years, TO suggest the material for a
sturdy farmer. And farmer Quincy
would have been no doubt, but for the
genius which was in him, the bank of
clay we spoke Of, and the potter Chat
field
And now it came to pass that the
farmers SON became a sculptor is what
we have sat down 20 tell. Il is a simple
story, yet one full Of interest aud inspi-
ration, the history Of him whose latest
work-his statue of Shakespeare-is
ranked amongst the first of modern
works Of art.
John Quincy Adams Ward was born
in Urhaua, Champaign County, Ohio,
on the 29th day of June, 1880. His
father, the inheritOr of three hundred
acres, and "a man of culture, was thor
oughIy appreciative of the value of
good education, and did the best by his
children that the place afforded. Quin-
cy distinguished himself less in school
than out of it, however. He had ac-
quired a village reputation, the envy of
mis- playmates, long before he awoke
the jealousy of his classmates. For the
potter's shop had been his favorite
haunt, and here he had acquired a skill
at modelling which astonished the older
heads, and was a fruitful source Of plea
sure to the younger. The pOtter's work
had a charm for him which even play
had not. It was a rare delight to him
to see the shapeless clay develop into
graceful form in the workman's hands.
He was in his glory when he was per-
mitted to handle the plastic stuff and
make something" The clay bank
the store-house of the pOtter-was near
the homestead, and here, during all the
pleasant months, had Quincy work
shop of his own, of which he did not
fail to profit Some of his early efforts
at creation were ambitious Ones.-
Churches, saw-mills, and whole villages
of people fashioned he, to the wonder
and delight of all the lazy rOgues who
came to watch him. 1t was here the
potter first saw Quincy's work. As
matter of course he became his friend
and patron, and gave him the freedom
of his workshop. Here in every leisure
moment Quincy reveled among the
clay, and learned to turn pots with
skill, preferring the job immeasurably
to the pursuit Of vulgar fractions. Here
he acquired his first knowledge of tools
less primitive than his fingers, and, in
early proof of his skill in using them, he
ornamented some pots with bas-reliefs,
which called general attention to his
work, and gave him undisputed rank
among his comrades ever after. A chef
PGuure at this time was his represent
alton of train of cars, then rather
novelty to the western villagers. Even
the potter, who was something of crit
ic, could afford to admire this effort,
and, as the height of his ambition for
the young artist, suggested that he
should be sent to Cincinnati to learn
toy-making. There is money in that
business quoth the potter.
But Cincinnati had no attractions for
Quincy, nor had the money of that bus
mess. His father had no decided views
as yetabout the future of the boy, nor
did his success in modelling suggest any.
On the contrary, the family rather dis
liked Quimcys weakness for the clay.
But there was time enough, he was but
entering on his teens. And SO Quincy
continued to attend his school, and to
potter away his leisure hours, making
clay figures of men on horseback, cattle
and whole theaters occasionally, which
he traded of among the village boys
for toys of their making or their pur-
chase.
Like all imaginative children, our
young artist was passiOnately fond of
reading; but, luckily for him, he had
not the privilege too many books. He
had, however, a library in a single work
his fathers CycIopedia Britannica.
In this he read of drawing, modelling,
and of Michael Angelo BuOnarOtti. Here
he had the first revelation of the possi-
biIities of Art, and hencefOrward his
thoughts began to shape into more def
mite purpose, and his desire to grow
stronger that one day he too might be-
come a sculptor.
Quincy was not the only member Of
the family with artistic tastes; hence he
had sympathy and encouragement at
home. His sister had learned to make
wax-fowers, as was the fashion with
young ladies, more then than nOw,-and
hereby hangs a tale. For upon this
wax-fiower making the young mOdeler
had often cast a hungry eye. He had
longed to attempt a statuette in wax,
AMI here was the material for his pur-
pose. Wax could be had for flowers;
but in the quantity and quality for fig
ure-malling, that was another affair and
not to be spoken of. It might be thought
about, however, and brOoding thereupOn