attorney, Vevay, native of Ohio, was born in Madisonville, Hamilton County, February 1, 1830. His youth was spent in working on his father's farm and attending school. When fourteen years of age he moved with his parents, Jonathan B. and Mary A. (Hamell) Ward, to Jefferson County, Ind. In September, 1849, he entered Asbury University at Greencastle, and pursued his studies until July 1852, when, on account of impaired health, he was obliged to leave college. He taught school until April, 1855, and from that date until November, 1857, was passenger conductor on the Lafayette & Indianapolis Railroad, at the same time employing all his leisure in the study of law. In November, 1857, he entered the senior class of the law department of Asbury University and graduated the same year. June 10, 1858, he located in Versailles, Ripley County, Ind., and opened a law office and practiced until August, 1861. He then entered the army as captain of Company A, Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which, after organization, was attached to the Fourteenth Army Corps, Gen. Torchin's Brigade. His regiment was in the advance on Bowling Green, after which it passed on to Nashville, arriving there just before Gen. Grant took possession of the place. After the engagement at Shiloh the division was detached, and captured Huntsville, Ala. From there the regiment advanced in front of Chattanooga, where they were engaged in skirmish duty. In Buell's retreat before Bragg they fell back to Nashville and Col. Ward's regiment was attached to Gen. Negley's division and left to hold that city. In the subsequent advance his regiment was hotly engaged in the battle of Stone River and lost very heavily. In this engagement Col. Ward's horse was shot under him. He next participated in a skirmish at Bradyville, again at Eel River, then crossed the Tennessee River and was engaged for two days in a skirmish at Pigeon Gap. The regiment was almost continuously taking part in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and later in the operations at Tunnel Hill, Ga., in the general advance on Atlanta, besides several minor engagements at Buzzard Roost, Resaca, etc. May 27, 1864, Col. Ward was wounded in the face in a skirmish near Newhope Church. He participated in all the battles of that campaign, down to Jonesville, until the capture of Atlanta. His term of service expired October 23, 1864, and he was mustered out with his regiment at Indianapolis, Ind., having seen three years of almost continuous service. After the war he returned to Versailles and resumed the practice of law. In October, 1874 he removed to Vevay, where he practiced in partnership with W.H. Adkinson until the death of the latter in April, 1878. Soon after the law firm of Ward & Livings was formed and at the present time enjoys a large and lucrative practice. Col. Ward is a Republican. He has never been a candidate for political honors, preferring to give his entire attention to his profession, in which he enjoys an excellent reputation. His powers of memory are wonderfully acute. He is clear, logical and convincing. There are few cases of any importance in the county in which the firm of Ward & Livings is not retained. Col. Ward is a Mason, past master, and representative of Versailles Lodge, No. 7. His religious connection is with the Christian Church. He married, May 11, 1853, Miss Sarah J. Todd, of Jefferson County, Ind. She was born May 21, 1833. By this union seven children were born: Mary K., Sarah A., William Walter, David T., Helen M., Lula B. and Zella B. Helen May died in March, 1867. Mrs. Ward passed away, August 8, 1877, and Col. Ward remarried, September 2, 1880, Mrs. Tamer Horton North (nee Harris). She was born in Switzerland County, Ind., January 26, 1833, daughter of Jacob R. Harris. Col. Ward's parents, Jonathan B. and Mary Ann (Hamell) Ward, were born in Madisonville, Hamilton Co., Ohio, father June, 1808; mother, January, 1812. They were married January 1, 1829, and raised twelve children. Father died in October, 1871; mother, September, 1873. Although Col. Ward's residence in Vevay has been comparatively short, he is favorably known throughout the county. His genial nature and social qualities make him universally respected and deservedly popular. He is at present a member of Switzerland Lodge No. 122, F. & A.M., and Major Patton Post No. 157, G.A.R.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell