My Genealogy Hound

John C. Ward, merchant and farmer, Haynes, Ark. This prominent business man and successful agriculturist is a native of Lee County, Ark., his birth occurring on October 2, 1866, and is the first child born to the union of Lafayette and Fannie (Adams) Ward, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Georgia. Lafayette Ward is one of the oldest physicians of this county now living, coming here in 1857 and settling in Phillips County (now Lee County) where his practice extended over a vast territory. He accumulated quite a nice fortune, and this he is at present enjoying. He was a soldier in the Mexican War and was also in the late war, being army surgeon of his regiment for a year or so. He entered service in the Mexican War at the age of fifteen years, was under Gen. Taylor in the First Kentucky Infantry and served during the entire time. He has been twice married; first, in 1851 to Miss Roxana Robards, of Louisville, Ky., and by her became the father of three children, all deceased. The wife died in 1862 or 1863, and in 1864 Dr. Ward married Miss Adams, who bore him three children, all deceased except John C. Ward. The mother was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and died in 1872. Dr. Ward is a member of the Catholic Church and of Irish parentage. John C. Ward was educated in the free schools of Lee County, and at the age of thirteen years entered the Catholic School on Washington Street, where he remained for one term. He then entered Miss Hattie Eunice’s select school on Poplar Street, remained there but one term and then, in 1882, he attended school at Newton for some time. After this he entered the Lexington Commercial School, graduating from the same in 1886, and then returned home, where he began working for R. O. Gill. He continued with him for one year and in 1888 bought an interest in the business, and in 1889 succeeded him. Mr. Ward has been unusually successful in all his enterprises and does an annual business of $25,000. He and his father own about 4,500 acres of land with 550 acres under cultivation, on which are produced about 350 bales of cotton yearly. J. C. Ward selected for his companion in life Miss Ida Neolies, of Collierville, Tenn., and was united in marriage to her on November 4, 1889. Mr. Ward is a member of the Catholic Church, is a member of the K. of H., and is one of the leading young business men of Haynes. He contributes liberally to all worthy enterprises and is one of the promising young men of the county.