Transcribed from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar.

Ward, John, D. D., bishop of Leavenworth, was born in West View, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, May 23, 1857, a son of Joseph and Ellen (McGrath) Ward, both natives of County Westmeath, Ireland, who came to America in the '50s. He was educated in the common and parochial schools of West View, Mount Saint Mary's Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, the College of Assumption, Sandwich, Ontario, Canada; was prepared for the priesthood in Saint Meinrad Seminary, Spencer county, Ind.; and was ordained in July, 1884. In November of that year he was appointed to St. Joseph's parish in Marshall county, Kan.; in Aug., 1888, became rector of St. Patrick's church at Parsons; was made pastor of St. Thomas' church at Armourdale in 1895; rector of the Cathedral of Leavenworth in 1898, and irremovable rector of St. Mary's church at Kansas City, Kan., in 1909. In 1910 he was elected to succeed Bishop Lillis as bishop of Leavenworth, the election being approved by Pope Pius X.

Page X886X from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed July 2002 by Carolyn Ward.