Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-25
ALL PAY TRIBUTE TO BEN
WARD
cowoRkERs WEEP FOR DEPART
ED OFFICIAL
Funeral VIII Be Held Tomorrow from
Home by Christian Scientist
Church-PaIl Bearers
Prominent

d. Ward, county assessor, has brought
a feeling of personal loss seldom accord
ed public official. That Mr.. Ward was
more than was called for in the office
which he filled has been attested by the
grief and sorrow that have been mani
tested on every side.
Flags half-masted on the official build
ings proclaim to the world that an hon.
ored citizen has passed away; the public
mourns an honest, upright citizen and
public official; hundreds of people mourn
the loss of a personal friend; thousands
mourn one who was admired. In the
family home on Beacon street the family
are grief-stricken over the loss of
faithful and loving husband and father.
For years Mr.. Ward had been a suf-
fercr from a complication of diseases,
and for several weeks had been Ill. But,
according to his usual sunny nature, no
word of this was allowed to reach the
public, and yesterday morning when his
death was announced 1t came as a sud
den shock to the public, although the
family had realized for a day or two
that his case was hopeless.
In anticipation of restoring him to his
normal health Mr.. Ward and his family
vent to Catalina six weeks ago. The
first week saw him sicken and the second
week he spent in bed. At the end of
the second week the family returned
home and for the last three weeks all
medical skill has been employed to save
the life of Mr.. Ward.
Knew Danger
Mr.. Ward realized that he was in a
dangerous condition, but did not dwell
upon it,. He gradually grew weaker and
the last day fought unconsciousness.
His brother, Walter Ward, arrived early
In the evening and was recognized by
the sick man. Mrs. Ward was constantly
at the side of her husband. Mr.. Ward
blessed his two children, Ben E., jr., and
Rachel At 11:2O Friday night he told
his wife that he wanted to go to sleep,
and gradually his breathing became
weaker and weaker until the spark of
life passed from the body.
Although he had spoken little of his
approaching death his business affairs
were in perfect order. His chief deputy,
Edward Hopkins, had been constant
visitor to the sick man. Within the
last week these daily visits had been
discontinued as it was thought that the
patient was improving.
Ben Ward was born April II, 1855, at
New Haven, Conn, his family being
members of pure New England stock.
His mother was a sister O.: Governor
James English and his father was George
Ward.
He received a common school educa-
IlOn IN NEW 1tdVeHJ lOllUWIuS WllCh iS
entered the Ann Arbor law college, but
on account of the death of his father
was unable to continue his studies in
that college.
In 1879 Mr. Ward came TO California and
settled in San Jose. From there he
removed to Sacramento and became min
ute clerk of the senate during the adj
ministration of Governor Perkins.
First Real Estate Man
Mr.. Ward was a pioneer real estate
man of Pasadena, opening the first real
estate office in the Crown city in 1881.
With Edward Webster and G. G. Green
he built the first opera house in Pasadena.
Mr.. Ward continued in the real estate
business until eight years ago, and In
the boom of 1885 and 1886 Mr.. Ward had
real estate office in Los Angeles and
accumulated considerable money.
Mr.. Ward was united in marriage to
Miss Jennie Dickinson of Kansas City
in 1891. Miss Dickinson was visiting in
Los Angeles at the time.
About eight years ago Mr.. Ward de-
serted the real estate field for politics
and was first elected city assessor on
the Republican ticket in 1899 and at the
expiration of his term was elected for
second term.
Mr.. Ward was elected county assessor
in 1902 for four years. 1t was during this
first term as county assessor that Mr..
Ward opened his war against the cor
poration tax evaders, which he relent-
lessly pursued until his death.
Mr.. Ward followed up his first declara-
ton and at the end of his term the cor
porations formed to defeat him in his
candidacy for reelection.
The exciting period of his candidacy,
with the Republican convention packed
against him: the corporations fighting
his denomination. with the prediction
that he had filled the office of assessor
for the last time, proved trying time,
but his final victory on the nca-partisan
ticket proved the victory of the man
who had fought his own battle against
the forces of the corporations, which
had spent large sums of money.
Swept to Victory
Mr. Ward took to the rostrum, directed
his campaign and his election was one
of the overwhelming victories OF the
year.
This heavy battle followed the greater
one of the adjustment of assessments
when Mr. Ward stood alone before the
board of equalization fighting relays OF
the most prominent lawyers on the side
of the corporations Again Mr.. Ward
won a great victory and brought thou
sands of dollars into the treasury of
the county through an equal assessment
of poor and rich.
Following these heavy strains the dis
ease that had been preying on his sys-
tenn broke out afresh, and worn out,
he sought a brief rest, hoping that his
health would be renewed to carry on
the battle.
But Ben Ward, beloved by every honest
citizen, had fought his last battle in
politics and for the good of the city.
The public buildings have seen Ben
Ward for the last time, the political
field has lost one of its strongest leaders,
the people at large have lost an honest
representative, but his example, his mu-
nicipal and county movements will live
on, a monument to the man who gave
his lifes strength in their defense, and
will stand as monument in the hearts
Of the populace.
Burial Monday
The funeral will be held Monday after
noon at the family residence, 1O41 Beacon
street Simple and unostentatious ac-
cording to the wish of Mr.. Ward, the
service will be conducted by the Christian
Science church, of which Mr.. Ward had
been a member many years. According
to his expressed wish, the body will he