Randolph  County,  Indiana

Don  C. Ward

The life of Don C. Ward, the broad-minded and progressive editor of The Union City Eagle, has been such as to bear aloft the

 high standard which was maintained by his father, who was for a long lapse of years one of the leading educators of Randolph county, and whose life was signally noble, upright and useful, one over which falls no shadow of wrong in word, thought or deed. Such was the type of men who laid the foundation and aided in the development of this locality, and to their memories will ever be paid a tribute of reverence and gratitude by those who have profited by their well-directed endeavors and appreciated the lesson of their lives

 

Mr. Ward was born October 26, 1883 in West Union, Randolph county. He is a son of A. H. and Ella (Scott) Ward. The father was born in Maryland July 3, 1848, was reared in Pennsylvania and educated in the district schools and Chambersburg Academy, also attended a normal college in Pennsylvania. He began teaching when a young man and followed this line of endeavor for a period of forty-four years, thirty-six of which he taught in the schools of Wayne township, Randolph county, one year in Marshall county, Indiana, one year in Miami county, Ohio, and six years in Pennsylvania. He was a man of progressive ideas and was very popular and influential as an educator. His services were always in great demand. His death occurred April 4, 1912. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born near Winchester, Indiana (July 21, 18-) and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools and Winchester high school She was a teacher for several years, and is now living in Union City.

To A. H. Ward and wife four children were born, three of whom are still living, namely: Don C., of this sketch; Mabel E. is teaching in Marion, Indiana; Merle S. is teaching in Union City; Clyde E. is deceased.

 

Don C. Ward received his education in the common schools of West Union and in the Union City high school, graduating from the high school at the age of fourteen, being the youngest graduate ever known in that city. He then spent two years in the Eastern Indiana Normal University at Muncie, after which he taught school seven years, five of them in Union City and two in Wayne township. He gave great satisfaction as an instructor and proved himself to be a worthy son of a worthy sire as an educator, but finally deciding that some other line of endeavor would suit him better, he began the study of law in the office of Shockney Brothers, of Union City, also took two correspondence courses in law, one from the American School of Law in Chicago, and one from the Lincoln and Jefferson school at Hammond, Indiana. He was admitted to the bar in Randolph county in due course of time, and began practice. He was successful from the first and soon had a good business. In 1910 he became assistant city attorney of Union City. Believing that journalism held still greater attractions for him he became connected with The Eagle Publishing Company of Union City, on June 1, 1912 and since that time has been editor and manager of The Union City Eagle. He has already made it a moulder of local public opinion, a valuable news and advertising medium, and its circulation has rapidly increased. He has brightened its appearance from a mechanical standpoint, and placed it on a paying basis.

 

Mr. Ward has remained unmarried. Politically he is a Democrat and has been active in public affairs. He made the race for representative from Randolph county, also for prosecuting attorney. His services are in great demand as a public speaker, as he is an orator of no mean ability. He is an excellent campaign manager, and was township chairman during the only two campaigns when a complete Democratic ticket was ever elected in Union City. He is a member of the Methodist church, and fraternally belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Loyal Order of Moose, and the Order of Owls. He is a member of the Joint Fraternal Memorial Board in Union City. He is musically inclined and gifted as a musician, and has been a member and manager of the Union City Concert Band ever since its organization. It is composed of twenty-five pieces, and is one of the best and most popular bands in the county.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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