William Ward
Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri
Biographies of Scott County, 1888
William W. Ward, surveyor of Scott County, and dealer in real estate, was born in Underhill, Vt., in May 1837. He is a son of Dexter and Cecelia (Woods) Ward, both natives of Vermont. The family removed to Wisconsin in 1842, when it was but a territory, and the subject of this sketch but five years old and located in Grant County, in which county Dexter Ward afterward served as sheriff. He was a carpenter by trade, at which he worked in connection with farming. He died at his home in Lancastor on September 20, 1881. His widow still owns the home property, but makes her home with the subject of this sketch. To her and husband were born five children: William W., Henry (engaged in farming and lumbering in Oregon since 1864), Eleanor M. (Mrs. Michael Woodard), Sarah A. (who died at the home of her brother, William W., in 1888) and Mary A. (Mrs. Charles Angus), residing near Lancaster, Wis. William W. was reared at his parents', and received his education in the schools of Lancaster and at Mount Morris, Ill. In 1854 he made a surveying tour with G.R. Stuntz, city engineer of Duluth, and others. In 1860 he went overland to California on a prospecting and mining tour, and remained until 1866, when he returned to Wisconsin via Panama and New York, after which he was engaged in the livery business until 1869. He then sold his interest in that business, and was engaged in government surveying in Minnesota and Dakota until 1874, at which time he came to Southeast Missouri. Locating in Scott County, he has since taken an active interest in everything that tended to promote the welfare of its citizens. For the past twelve years he has served as county surveyor, and is also engaged in the real-estate business, having charge of about 42,000 acres of land for Charles P. Chouteau, of St. Louis. In August, 1874, Mr. Ward wedded Mrs. Laura M. Watson, a daughter of Isaac L. and Valencia L. (Lane) Benham, natives of Vermont, who removed to Wisconsin in 1852. Mrs. Ward finished her education in 1860-61, and went to Louisiana to teach school. While there she was married to James Watson, a native of Mississippi. Soon after their marriage they visited the wife's parents in Wisconsin, and in 1867 came to Southeast Missouri and located. Mr. Watson died in December 1872, aged forty-two years. He left two boys: William E. and George W. Mrs. Ward's mother died in 1869, aged fifty-seven years and her father, in 1873, aged sixty-one years.
Submitted by Connie Perkins
Poster-#-157-
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