KSGenWeb Digital Library Biographical Sketch of Jacob Ward Brown County, Kansas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE:  In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied materiel.  These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain.  Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged.  Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires approval of the file's author.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900.  These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

Jacob Ward is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Doniphan county of 1856, and is a highly esteemed resident of the community in which he makes his home.  He was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1834, and is a son of William Ward, who was probably born in Mt. Vernon Ohio, where he was one of the early teamsters and draymen.  The father died in Fayette county, Indiana, in 1837, when about thirty-five years of age.  He wedded Mary Smith and died in 1894, and the children of their union were: Benjamin, who went to California in the early days of the gold excitement there, but since 1856 has not been heard from; Elizabeth, the wife of Peter Messer; Smith, of Fayette county, Indiana; Jacob; and George, a resident farmer of Fayette county.

Jacob Ward received but limited privileges or advantages in youth.  He was not able to attend school after attaining his sixteenth year, at which time he was thrown upon his own resources and has since depended upon his own labors for all that he has enjoyed or acquired in life.  The first money he earned was at corn husking, for which he was paid twelve and a half cents per day.

He came to Doniphan county, Kansas, in 1856, a young man of twenty-two years, without money or influence, in search of work.  Entering the employment of J. P. Johnson, one of the prominent farmers of the community, he continued in his service four years and then removed to Brown county, where he worked as a farm hand for Henry Ulsh.  He continued as wage worker until about the close of the civil war when, having accumulated a small capital, he purchased two span of horses and began teaming.

He broke prairie at four dollars per acre, hauled wood and did other work in his line until his retirement from business, in 1890.  During the first ten years of his residence in Kansas he spent money freely, as young men are apt to do, and then, with the realization of the more serious side of life, he began the acquirement of property, purchasing land in Robinson, which he improved.

His labors there led to the upbuilding of that section of the village, and thus he has not only provided for himself but has contributed to the material welfare of his town.  He has now a very comfortable competence, which has come to him entirely through legitimate channels of trade.  His family were all Republicans in political belief but he supports the Democracy.  In northeastern Kansas he is well known and is one of the industrious, energetic and progressive men of this section of the state and well deserves representation in its history.

Last update: Friday, July 18, 2003 20:22:17

The Digital Library of the KSGenWeb is a non-commercial entity dedicated to free access to records of genealogical value. All documents contained herein may be freely copied for personal and library use, as long as the KSGenWeb Statement of Use remains attached. These records may not be published in any format, including electronic (web pages or CD's) and print, without prior written consent of the contributor. In order to insure continued free access, violators of this policy will be vigorously pursued.

We invite all contributions of transcribed records with genealogical value. This could range from wills and letters from your personal family records to indexes of your county's marriage records. There are many, many more examples, of course. Anything you have that you are willing to contribute will be gratefully accepted. For more information, contact Kenneth Thomas, KSGenWeb Digital Library Coordinator at kgthomas5@earthlink.net.

We also accept any non-copyrighted printed materials that you have access to and would like to see transcribed and placed on-line. If the material is copyrighted and you are the copyright holder, please include written permission for use by The KSGenWeb Digital Library. These may be mailed to Kenneth Thomas, 26 Circle Dr., Windsor, MO 65360-1610.

  KSGENWEB DIGITAL LIBRARY PAGE
  KSGENWEB HOME PAGE

Page Design, HTML Coding and Layout - Copyright©1998-2004 by Kenneth Thomas, All Rights Reserved.
The KSGenWeb Project logo Copyright©1996-2004 by Tom & Carolyn Ward, All Rights Reserved.
For the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project.  Permission is granted for use only on an Official KSGenWeb Project page.
The Official USGenWeb Project logo designed by Linda Cole.