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Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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HOLMES B. WARD, master mechanic, post office Castle Shannon, was born Feb. 28, 1837, in Berkeley county, W. Va., a son of Nicholas and Rachel (Holyday) Ward, old settlers of Berkeley county, and a grandson of Capt. Joel Ward, a captain of militia in the war of 1812. George Holyday, his maternal grandfather, was also a captain of militia in the same war, and participated in the Bladensburg fight. Nicholas and Rachel Ward were the parents of eleven children, of whom Holmes B. was educated in Virginia. He served his apprenticeship with Shriver Bros., Cumberland, Md.; later was employed in a railroad shop, and from 1862 to 1867 was engineer on the Q. & O. R. R. He went to Pittsburgh in the spring of 1868, and remained there for a short time; two years later he removed to Castle Shannon and became master mechanic, his promotion being due to his indomitable energy and perseverance. Previous to his promotion he ran an engine eight years. He is at present master mechanic of the P. & C. S. R. R. Mr. Ward married Martha D. Wright, and they have the following-named children: William, Maria, Rachel, Leah, Anna B., Arthur, Holmes, Firney, Naoma and an infant daughter. Mr. Ward is a member of the K. of M., and is a republican; his grandfathers were old-line whigs.
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This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.
View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies
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