James J. Ward (1856 - 1918)

Born 5 Mar 1856 in Lawrence, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Katherine Josephine (Kingston) Ward — married 16 Jan 1880 in Lawrence, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 7 Jan 1918 at age 61 in Wayne Township, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

James J. Ward was born on 5 March 1856 in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, to Levi Ward and Jane Bennett ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The year that James was born, his father Levi Ward purchased his family’s farm “Limestone Stock Farm”, but it is not known if the family was living on the farm when James was born. James was the 6th child out of 9 children to be born to Levi and Jane Bennett Ward. At the age of 5 years in 1860, the family was living in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania which included his parents, James, and 4 siblings, Minerva, Robert, Amos, and William ^[4]. In 1870, the family consisting of the parents and 7 children, Robert, Amos, William, James, Mary, John, and Delilah were living on the family farm in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania ^[5]. James’s father was a farmer and most likely taught his sons had to farm the land.

On 16 January 1880, James J. Ward married Katherine Josephine Kingston in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania ^{[6] [1] [7] [3]}. The union of this couple would result in the birth of 6 children, 5 of whom would survive to adulthood. That same year, the newly married couple were living on a farm in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania near James’ father’s farm and near his brother William’s farm ^[8]. Like his father, James was also a farmer. In 1882, James’ mother Jane (Bennett) Ward died. Little is known about the first 20 years of the young couple. In January 1900, James’ brother Amos died at 50 years of age from heart disease. Then in April 1900, James’ father died at the age of 78 years of age. Based on Levi Ward’s Will, James and his brother William had received their inheritances previously which may have been the farms that they worked and lived on in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. The 1900 census showed James and his family were still living on their farm in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania ^[1]. The family at this time consisted of the parents and 5 children, Charles, Verna, Harry, Mary, and Tyna. In the census record they showed that Katherine had birthed 6 children with 5 alive. It is unknown about the 6th child. James was still working as a farmer. In 1906, James’ sister Minerva died and in 1908, James’ daughter Verna died from Tuberculosis. In 1910, the couple and their 3 youngest children were still living in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania ^[7]. James was still working as a farmer with the help of his son Harry who was still at home. In 1911, James’ brother Scott died followed by the death of his sister Mary in 1917. On 4 January 1918, James wrote his Last Will and Testament leaving everything to his wife and requesting that upon her death she divide the estate between their 3 surviving children, Charles, Mary, and Tyna ^[9]. James must have suspected that he would not live long when he decided to write his Will because 3 days later, James died.

James J. Ward died on 7 January 1918 in his home in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania due to Tuberculosis ^[2]. James was 61 years of age and had been ill for 5-6 weeks. James was buried in slippery Rock Church Cemetery in Ellwood City, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania ^[10]. James was preceded in death by his parents, 5 siblings, and 2 children. James was survived by his wife, Katherine (Kingston) Ward, 4 children: Charles Edward Ward, Harry James Ward, Mary Elizabeth (Ward) Cole, and Tyne E (Ward) Robbins, and 3 siblings: Robert Bennett Ward, William Frank Ward, and Delilah Agnes (Ward) Kingston ^[11]. About 3 months later, James’ son Harry James Ward also died from Tuberculosis.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} "1900 United States Federal Census" [database on-line]. Year: 1900; Census Place: Wayne, Lawrence, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1426; Page: 22; Enumeration District: 0094; FHL microfilm: 1241426.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1968" [database on-line]. Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number 2326.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens” by Hazen, Aaron Lyle. Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold publishing Company, 1908, pp. 903-904. Google eBook.
4. ↑ "1860 United States Federal Census", database on-line. Year: 1860; Census Place: Wayne, Lawrence, Pennsylvania; Page: 524; Family History Library Film: 805127.
5. ↑ "1870 United States Federal Census", database on-line. Year: 1870; Census Place: Wayne, Lawrence, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1360; Page: 334B; Family History Library Film: 552859.
6. ↑ "Web: Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, U.S., Marriage Index, 1850-2010" [database on-line].
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} "1910 United States Federal Census" [database on-line]. Year: 1910; Census Place: Wayne, Lawrence, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1362; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 0156; FHL microfilm: 1375375.
8. ↑ "1880 United States Federal Census", database on-line. Year: 1880; Census Place: Wayne, Lawrence, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1145; Page: 332D; Enumeration District: 229.
9. ↑ "Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993" [database on-line]. Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Files, 1849-1920; Index 1849-1987; Author: Lawrence County (Pennsylvania). Register of Wills; Probate Place: Lawrence, Pennsylvania. Description Notes: Wills and Probate Files, Vol 9-11, 1911-1919.
10. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #29046887
11. ↑ "James A. Ward Dies After Long Illness," New Castle Herald (New Castle, Pennsylvania), 7 January 1918, pg. 9.