My Genealogy Hound

WARD, W. M. attorney at law. The subject of this sketch is a son of Jesse and Mary Ward. The former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia. The father of W. M. was a farmer by occupation and was among the first settlers in Jersey. W. M. was born in Jersey Co. Dec. 24, 1838, and attended the common school until he was eighteen years of age. He then took a trip to the Rocky Mountains, where he spent eight years in various occupations. Was first engaged in mining, then was in the Attorney General’s office, and was out on an expedition after the Red men, and followed them into their mountain fastness and had some practical experience in Indian fighting. And during his stay in the West he had a varied and checkered experience. In the Winter of 1867 he returned to Brighton, Macoupin Co. and soon after he entered the office of Asa Potter and engaged in the study of law, in which he continued for about three years. On July 26, 1870, he, concluded that the life of a bachelor was getting too monotonous and he wooed and won the hand of Louisa Prosser, and their marriage was duly celebrated on the above date. By this union they have had three children of whom two are now living. Louisa M., born Sept. 8,1872; Jessie. W, born Oct 20, 1876. From the time he left the office of Asa Potter, 1872, he went into the employ of the Rockford and Rock Island R. R. company as a machinist, where he remained about one year; he then moved his family to Greene Co., and engaged in the milling business, which he followed until 1875, at which time he sold out his interest and located in Greenfield. On May 10, 1875, he received an appointment as postmaster, and on June 5, got his commission. In 1876 received appointment as notary, was admitted to the bar Jan. 1877, and has since been engaged in the practice of law.