George Washington Ward (1844 - 1916)

Born 28 Sep 1844 in Greene, Indiana, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah Louise (Wan) Ward — married 14 Apr 1869 in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States

Descendants

Died 28 Mar 1916 at age 71 in Hamilton, Ravalli, Montana, United States

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Biography

George Washington was born in 1844. He is the son of Charles Bowen Ward and Nancy Simons. He passed away in 1916.

Sources

Boone Family Record, Samuel M. Cline library.

Our Boone Families, Sarah Ridge Rockenfield, p. 335.

Simons Family History, Ada Story, 1971.

Ravalli Republican, March 31, 1916

• GEORGE W. WARD

September 28, 1844 - March 28, 1916

WELL KNOWN PERSON DIED TUESDAY NIGHT

George W. Ward Was a Civil War Veteran Universally Liked and Respected, Who Came Here From Missouri in Territorial Days and at One Time Owned Land Now Belonging to the Daly Estate Before the Town of Hamilton Was Started.

George W. Ward, one of the oldest and most honored residents of the Bitter Root valley, died at his home at Charlos Tuesday evening. Although it was known that his health was failing for some time, his demise was a great shock to the community.

George Ward was known to every resident of western Montana. He was a typical pioneer, good-hearted and saw good in everything. Although of a retiring disposition, he never was backward where duty called.

He came to the bitter Root valley in July 1881, in a covered wagon, traveling half way across the continent. His first look at the Bitter Root valley settled his future destiny, and he sent for his family and made his home here.

Mr. Ward was a native of Indiana being born near Vincennes September 28, 1844. At the age of two years, he went with his parents to Lawrence County, Missouri, where he was married to Miss Hannah Wahan April 14, 1869.

Behind a span of mules, he left Missouri April 18 to make his home in the west. He reached here July 22. Although he left home alone, it was at a time when many were headed for this western country and before the end of his journey, he composed a cavalcade which passed through Kansas into Nebraska and up the Platte, along the route of the Union Pacific into Wyoming and out of Wyoming by way of Cheyenne and Laramie City. By way of Rollins over Pacific Springs, he reached Mount Peller and by way of Soda Springs - now in Idaho - he came to Fort Hall and Eagle Rock, now Idaho Falls. By way of Market Lake and through Campbell Station on the Utah Northern, he passed through Beaver Canyon over the divide into the Red Rock country and from there by way of Bannock on into the Big Hole into Ross' Hole and finally into the Bitter Root.

When the Civil war was raging, he enlisted with the Union forces from a state in which sentiment was strong for the south. He is a member of the Missoula Grand Army post and always took an active interest in gatherings of the old veterans.

He was a member of the state legislative assembly in 1893 from Missoula county. It was during this session that Ravalli County was formed. When Marcus Daly came here to purchase his large estate and establish the town of Hamilton, his first holdings were secured from Mr. Ward. He took a prominent part in all movements to benefit the country, being identified with several irrigation projects.

The funeral was held yesterday morning at 11 o'clock in his home at Charlos, and was attended by many residents of Ravalli and Missoula counties. The members of the Grand Army of the Republic were present and the sermon was delivered by Rev. J.C. Irwin of the Presbyterian church. The interment was made in the Corvallis Cemetery where the Masonic rites were said. The deceased is survived by a widow; C.W. Ward, a former sheriff and county commissioner, of Darby, and Sidney M. Ward of Charlos.

The Western News, Friday, March 31, 1916

WARD PASSES AT RIPE OLD AGE

Bitter Root Pioneer Succumbs to Infirmities of Old Age

George W. Ward died at 8:15 Tuesday evening at his ranch home on Camas prairie. He had been in feeble health for several years past, finally succumbing to the infirmities of old age. The funeral was held yesterday from the family home, interment being made in Corvallis Cemetery. The service was conducted by Rev. J.C. Iirwin and was held under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity and Grand Army post of Hamilton.

George W. Ward emigrated to Montana from Lawrence County, Missouri, arriving in the Bitter Root valley in July 1881. He made the trip by wagon drawn by a pair of mules via the old "Overland Trail," entering the Bitter Root valley by way of the Big Hold road. His family followed within the year.

Mr. Ward located a homestead on the North Gird's creek bench, three miles east of Hamilton. The late James A. Hedge had previously located a homestead on the bench immediately east of Hamilton and had demonstrated the feasibility of watering such lands by bringing a ditch from Skalkaho creek. Mr. Ward gradually acquired a tract of nearly a thousand acres and completed another irrigating canal from Skalkaho, one of the biggest undertakings of the kind in western Montana in those days. This land and project was purchased by Marcus Daly in 1893.

Mr. Ward was elected to the house of representatives of the state legislature in 1892 and was one of the seven adherents of Marcus Daly who all through the session deadlocked the legislature and prevented the election of W.A. Clark to the United States senate in 1893.

He was also an ardent supporter of Mr. Daly's project to located the state capital in Anaconda. During that session the county of Ravalli was created through the efforts of Mr. Daly. The next year Mr. Ward purchased the big ranch on Camas prairie where he dug another canal. This ranch was subdivided into several tracts during the apple boom. He also organized a company to develop the Hughes creek placers.

Mr. Ward was active in development work and public affairs. He was a strong partisan, loyal to whatever cause he espoused and exerted a definite influence among his associates.

Mr. Ward was 71 years of age. He is survived by the widow and two sons, Charles William and Sidney and two daughters, Mrs. D.T. Grush of Anaconda and Miss Dale and numerous other relatives, including grandchildren.