Josephine Orcelia (Riggs) Ward (1855 - 1942)

Born 17 Sep 1855 in Ada, Kent, Michigan, United States

Ancestors

Wife of James Henry Ward — married 31 Mar 1875 in Ada, Kent, MI

Descendants

Died 26 Oct 1942 at age 87 in Ada, Kent, Michigan, United States

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Biography

Josephine Orcelia Riggs32 [Augustus, Jedediah] b. September 17, 1855, Ada, Kent Co., MI, the eldest child of Henry Augustus Riggs and Esther S. Dennis; m. James Henry Ward, around 1872; d. October 26, 1942, Ada, Kent Co., MI; Bailey Cemetery, Vergennes, Kent Co., MI.

Josephine was born on Riggs Farm in east Ada township and was probably very familiar with her grandparents, Jedediah and Philinda, since they lived in her home until they died. Philinda died when Josephine was ten (1865), Jedediah when she was thirteen (1868). Josephine used to tell stories to the grandchildren about their family, but very few have been passed down to the present day. She used to tell her grandkids that the Riggs family was from Wales, although there is nothing yet to support this. Josephine married James Henry Ward (b. 1850), March 31, 1872. Their farm, according to the 1875 plat map of Ada, was about a mile west of her parentsÂ’ home on Conservation Street. James owned 160 acres including the N/2 NW/4 and the SE/4 NW/4 of Section 24. On top of that, the WardÂ’s helped out on Riggs Farm and were the chief proprietors of both farms until the FairchildÂ’s took the Riggs Farm over.

James became the supervisor of Ada Township for 27 years. Township records show him being sworn in April 8, 1905. This would have been in the middle of his service as a supervisor. Josephine, herself, was also active in the community. According to her obituary, she taught school in Ada for several years. This was a fitting occupation for her, since her father was a member of the Grange, a society devoted partially to educating farmers and their children. Her sister, Delphine, was also a teacher. They were listed in Grattan Township in the 1880 census of Kent County with their four year old son, Ashley, and one year old, Maurice. Their son, Wetherby (b. around 1883), died in an tragic accident on August 29, 1885. James and Josephine lived next to Josephine's parents, Augustus and Esther (Dennis) Riggs, in Ada until the RiggsÂ’ death. Others nearby was the family of Thomas and Lettie (Cooley) Chaffee. A younger sister of Thomas, Olive, would marry Ashley Ward.

James died in 1919 and was buried in the Bailey Cemetery, Vergennes Township, Kent County, Michigan. Josephine went to live with her son, Webb, in Ada and was found there in the 1920 census.

Josephine was diagnosed with heart trouble around 1939 and hypertension around 1940. On October 23, 1942, she became ill. She died of a cerebral hemorrhage hypertension on Monday, October 26, 1942, at 3:00 in the morning. Her funeral service was held at the Bailey Church in Vergennes. She was buried in the Bailey Cemetery, next to her husband, J. H. Ward, and children Maurice and Webbie.

Seven children:

78Ashley A. Ward, b. April 1876, Ada, MI; m. Olive Emily Chaffee, June 8, 1895, Ada, MI; d. 1936 Maurice Ward, b. June 26, 1878; d. September 16, 1894 Ethel Ward, b. 1881, Ada, MI; m. George L. Boynton; d. 1910 Wetherby William Ward, b. around 1883; d. August 29, 1885 79Wetherby William Ward, b. August, 1888, Ada, MI; m. Blanche Mae Averill; d. 1962, Ada, MI. 80James Chandler Ward, b. January, 1892, Ada, MI; m. Alice Morris; d. September 1, 1953, Ada, MI 81Caroline E. Ward, b. April, 1894, Ada, MI; m. Roy Alton Richardson; d. March 7, 1966, Grand Rapids, MI.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=110156328
• Obituary https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-996G-XP9G?i=893&cc=2215693
• 1860, 1870, 1920, 1940 Census, Ada, Kent, MI