The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-07-17
THE LATE WILLIAM WARD,


Sketch of the Life of Pioneer.
William Ward was born in Walling-
ford, CT, April 6, 1872, and died of paral-
yss, at his residence on Chestnut street.
Ravenna, o., July Z, 1894.
In his childhood his parents emigrated
to Ohio and settled in Atwater township,
where they resided for eight years.
Thence they removed to Poland, where
they lived five years. At the close of
this period they moved again, locating in
Randolph, Portage county, o. Here his
father died when he was a lad of but
fourteen years. This event threw him
upon the world without u dollar and al
most without friends. Thenceforward
he was to take care of himself. To this
task he addressed himself in earnest. He
chopped wood at one shilling cord, and
attended school during the fall and win
ter season. In this way he acquired the
rudiments of an English education which
was about all that could be attained in
this period of our history.
About this time he bought horse of
Mr.. Baldwin, for which he gave his note,
and commenced peddling wooden clocks
contractor in mail-routes and showed so
much efficiency in this work that he soon
advanced to the position of contractor
with the government. This called him
frequently to Washington, where he be-
came acquainted with many of the Off
cial dignitaries of the nation. We soon
find him running extensive mail-routcs
throughout the State of Ohio, and eX-
tending to Pennsylvania and New York.
In this work he evlnced great earnest
ness and perseverance. Difficulties were
surmounted and opposition overcome
One hundred horses to transport the
mails and travellers, and a corresponding
number of men and coaches, demanded
his oversight. Besides these, other
branches of business were carried on.
For some years he kept hotel, and was
engaged in the sale of dry goods. He
was also engaged in banking business,
and occupied the position of president.
These several lines of business must have
occupied all his powers both of body and
mind. Many are the yexations connect.
ed with the prosecution of any line OF
business; but he bore all these with d
patience and perseverance that was
truly commendable, and made his life a
grand success.
In 1887 Mr.. Ward and Mrs. Caroline K
Skinner were united in marriage in
Rootstown, though Mrs. Skinner was OF
havenna. They commenced housekeep
ing in Randolph. Here late in the fall OF
1887 the firm of Ward & Owens opened ;
dry goods store at the center of Ran
dolph. They continued business till thu
fall of 1889 when the store was burned
The goods that were saved were sold a
auction, and MI. Ward moved to Raven
ma January %, 1910, where he lived, ant
prosecuted the various branches of husi
ness in which he was engaged, till tn,
day of his death.
: Thus Mr.. Ward has been one of th,
substantial business men of Ravenna
He belonged to class of men who ever.
=, year are thinning out, and will sool
wholly disappear from the ranks of In
living; class distinguished for th
works they have achieved. They Gu
Y down the forests, laid out the farms, con
# structed the roads, built the houses
!, reared up the public editices, and organ
). lied the government. They made on
country and State what they are. Wi
their posterlty make right use of til
rich Inheritance entailed?
Mr.. Wards health for the last FEY
years had been failing. Repeated stroke
: of paralysis, though not OF n severe III
II ture, had greatly impaired his activ
It powers. The last one had rendered us'
s less his left arm and side, and brougl
" him down upon his bed of death. A
,. that medical skill could do, was done,
ward off the inevitable. Death cam
not as the king of terrorS, but as I'll
prince of peace, and released him fro
Is suffering. Throughout his sickness h
r mind was singularly clear, and he full
,r apprehended his situation. He great
ia desired to depart. '"The sooner the be
ter" said he. The hour at length a
- rived, and he sweetly slept i'll the am
of his God. Thus ended noble life,
Is u citizen he sustained cheerfillly his pn
Ill ton of the burdens of society. AS
e. business man he was prompt in the di
g. charge of all his assumed obligations.
is his home he was kind and cheerful, ev,
" keeping from his wife that knowledge
,r his affairs which would cause her anxiet
. He was a generous and Obliging neig
. Dor; and in one word, we may say,
every way worthy of commendation.
10 Mr. Ward had been for many years
member of the Independent Order