Alexander B. Ward (1822 - 1879)

Born 3 May 1822 in Ohio

Husband of Maria J. Smith — married 1 Mar 1855 in Washington, Linn, Iowa

Descendants

Died 30 Mar 1879 at age 56 in Fairbank, Buchanan, Iowa

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Julia Howard [send private message]

Biography

Pioneer Family of Physicians Who Served the Fairbank Area Doctor Alexander B. Ward, came to Fairbank from Ohio almost 160 years ago and during his practice here from 1855 to 1879 made many calls with his carriage in both hot and cold weather for miles around. The esteemed Dr. A. B. Ward M D, departed this life March 31 at 8:35 AM. He was born in 1832 at New Lisbon, Columbus County, Ohio. At the age of 15 years, he moved to Akron, Summit County, Ohio. During his residence in Akron, while quite young, the Doctor commenced the study of medicine. He attended the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He then returned to Ohio where he practiced until he moved to Center Point , Iowa, remaining at Center Point between one and two years. Diligent in business, warmhearted and generous, he soon gathered around him a host of sincere friends and an extensive practice. The funeral was largely attended, the stores were all closed. Consumption was the disease from which he suffered so long. Griffy Benjamin Ward, son of Dr. A. B. and Mariah Jane Ward, was born at Center Point, Iowa, February 28th, 1856, and died at his home in Fairbank at 2:20 A. M. Saturday morning January 27, 1923. A few weeks after his birth Griffy, with his parents, came to Fairbank. Here he grew to manhood going thru the local school, which was then held in the “little red brick schoolhouse” that stood where the park now is. He attended High School at Independence, riding back and forth on his black pony, Gyp. He also attended Cornell College, after which he taught school several terms near Fairbank. He entered medical school at the University of Michigan, persevering in his studies until his graduation from that institution in June 1880. Just before he graduated he was married to Ella Berry of Wyandot County, Ohio, and on receiving his diploma came with his wife to Fairbank where, he assumed the practice of medicine in the place of his father, who had died shortly before. He had a special aptitude for surgery. In order to better fit himself for this work he completed post graduate courses at the New York Post Graduate Medical School. Dr. Ward possessed by nature, a powerful physique, but many years of hard work and constant study began to tell on the strength of his later years. Dr. Ward was stricken with an attack of angina pectoris, a form of heart disease, and while downtown on Friday afternoon friends had to call a taxi and he was taken home. His two sons, Dr. Dell of Oelwein and Dr. Loraine of Fairbank, were called and did everything possible for him, but all to no avail and he passed away a little after two o’clock the next morning. There remains too deeply mourn his death, his devoted wife and six sons. Prof. Artel of Delphos, Iowa. Dr. Dell and Golding of Oelwein, Dr. Loraine of Fairbank, Wendell of Oelwein and Claire of Fairbank. He also leaves a half-sister, Mrs. Mary Brasharee of Marion, Ohio, two half-brothers having preceded him in death some years ago, the church was far too small to accommodate the large number who came to show their last tribute to one who had always stood four square.

Taken from Griffy’s obit, Independence Conservative 7 February 1923.

Burial

Fairbank Cemetery

Data Changed

Changed:

15 Apr 2013

08:10

Prior to import, this record was last changed 08:10 15 Apr 2013.

Note

@HI1654@

Sources

Notes

HI1654(Research):United States Census, 1860 for Alex B Ward

name: Alex B Ward

residence: , Buchanan, Iowa

ward: Alton Township

age: 37 years

estimated birth year: 1823

birthplace: Ohio

gender: Male

United States Census, 1870 for Alexander B Ward

name: Alexander B Ward

estimated birth year: 1820

gender: Male

age in 1870: 50y

color (white, black, mulatto, chinese, indian): White

birthplace: Ohio

home in 1870: Iowa, United States

Household Gender Age

Alexander B Ward M 50y

Maria J Ward F 32y

Anston J Ward M 16y

Griffin B Ward M 14y

Catherine Smith F 62y

Rokey M Smith F 19y

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Julie Baldwin for creating WikiTree profile Ward-7152 through the import of Jhoward.ged on May 31, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Julie and others.