My Genealogy Hound

WASHINGTON WARD occupies an important place among the enterprising and influential business men of Springfield who are taking a prominent part in its upbuilding, and as a leading real-estate and loan agent he is active in promoting its material interests. He comes of good old pioneer stock, some of his ancestors being among the earliest settlers of the State of Ohio, of which he is a native. His birthplace was in Moorefield Township, Clark County, and January 3, 1833, was the date of his birth. He is a son of Charles Ward, Esq., who was during his lifetime a man of considerable prominence in the county. He was, it is thought, born in Mason County, Ky., while his father, Col. William Ward, is supposed to have been born in Greenbriar, Va. He removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky among its early settlers. After residing there a few years he came to Clark County, about 1796, and was one of the first pioneers of this portion of what was then a part of the Northwestern Territory. Tecumseh and his tribe of Indians still inhabited this section of the country, and he was one of the committee appointed to meet that noted chief to settle a difficulty caused by the Indians killing a white man. He located on what is now the Urbana road, three miles north of this city, and there erected a log house, which is still standing and in good preservation. He secured a large tract of land extending from Springfield to Urbana, and owned the present site of the latter town. He subsequently removed to Champaign County, locating four miles south of Urbana, where he engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising, residing there permanently until death closed his earthly career, and deprived that community of one of its most enterprising citizens. His descendants are scattered throughout different States of the Union, one of the best known of them being J. Q. A. Ward, the renowned sculptor.

The grandmother of our subject, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Anderson, was a native of Virginia, and she and her husband now lie buried side by side on the old homestead three miles from Springfield. The grandfather of our subject had three brothers — Charles, James and John A. The latter was captured by the Indians when he was a boy of six years, and was adopted by the tribe (Shawanees), reared by them, and married a squaw and was finally killed in battle while fighting the whites. Charles and James spent their last years in Kentucky.

The father of our subject was eighteen years old when he came to this county with his parents, and here he was married in 1827, to Katherine Foley, a native of Clark County, and a daughter of James and Mary (Marsh) Foley, natives, respectively, of Virginia and North Carolina, and early pioneers of this county. Mr. Foley came to Clark County in 1806, and his future wife residing then near Columbus, he went for her on horseback, and returned with his bride riding behind him. He settled in Moorefield Township, commencing his wedded life in a log cabin, and resided here until his death, in 1863, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife preceded him to the grave some years previous to his decease. The father of our subject resided in Urbana until his marriage, and then settled on land two miles north of Springfield on the Urbana Road, and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. His death at the age of fifty-four, in 1848, while yet scarcely past the meridian of life, was a serious blow to the material and social interests of the place, and was sincerely mourned by all who knew him. He was a kind father, a devoted husband, and his neighbors and friends found in him a wise and safe counselor. He was a stanch Whig in politics, and he served many years as Justice of the Peace. The mother of our subject lived on the old homestead where her wedded life was passed until 1863, and then removed to Springfield, and here closed her eyes in death in August, 1886, having attained a ripe old age. She had a full experience of pioneer life, and of the primitive modes of living, in her early days. She was an adept at spinning and weaving, and used to cook delicious meals before the fire of an open fireplace before the introduction of stoves. She was the mother of seven children, all of whom she reared to useful lives.

The son of whom we write grew to a stalwart manhood in his native township, and gleaned his early education in the district school. As soon as large enough to be made of use he was set to work on the farm, and at the time of his father’s death he had to assume the charge of the old homestead, and though he was but sixteen years old he showed himself to be fully competent for the responsibilities that thus devolved upon him. He continued to manage the farm with good results until 1863, and in that year took up his residence in Springfield. The ensuing two years he was engaged in the grocery business, and since then has carried on his present calling as a dealer in real estate and a loan agent. In 1883 he built his present commodious and well appointed residence on Stanton Avenue, and here he and his wife have established a home that is replete with all the modern comforts and conveniences.

The marriage of Mr. Ward with Mrs. Jane Foley (Swope) Patton was solemnized March 22, 1872, and has proved of mutual benefit. Mrs. Ward is a native of this city, and a daughter of Edward and Millie J. (Foley) Swope, early settlers of Springfield. Mr. Swope was born in Adams County, Pa., October 12, 1814, a son of Jonathan Swope, who was born of German parentage, and spent his entire life in the Keystone State. Mrs. Ward’s father came to Clark County in 1835, and locating in this city, became one of its pioneer merchants. He also engaged in buying stock, and before there were railways or canals used to drive his cattle across the Pennsylvania mountains to Eastern markets. He resided in Springfield until 1865, and then, after the death of his wife, moved to Buffalo, N. Y., and established himself in the stock business there, which he still continues as a member of the firm of Swope, Hughs & Walsh. His wife was born in Moorefield Township, and was a daughter of John and Jane D. Foley, well-known pioneers of this section of the country. Mrs. Ward has been twice married. She was first wedded in 1856, to Leander D. Patton, a native of Cincinnati. He was a dry-goods clerk for many years, later was a commercial salesman, and at the time of his death, in 1865, was clerk of the gold board in Chicago. By that marriage Mrs. Ward had two sons — Edward and Charles. Her wedded life with our subject has been blessed to them by the birth of one daughter, Bertha W. Mrs. Ward is a devoted member of the Episcopal Church, and her daily life is consistent with her religious professions.

Mr. Ward is a man of good presence and frank address, is progressive in his views, and in business and financial circles his name is held in respect, and he is conceded to be an honor to the citizenship of his native county.