Conway-Marion County ArArchives Biographies.....Ward, G. A. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 19, 2009, 10:53 am

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

G. A. WARD.
    No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the cause
of success, investigation into the lives of those who have won honorable
prosperity shows that their advancement is due not to any unusual combination of
circumstances but to the fact that they have improved opportunities and that
industry, determination and honorable dealing are salient forces in winning
success. Such has been the record of G. A. Ward, who since 1916 has been owner
and editor of the Conway County Unit, one of the most enterprising newspapers in
this state. He is not a native son of Arkansas, for he was born in Orange
county, New York, on the 15th of January, 1857, a son of Alexander and Sarah
Ward. His father was a native of England and came to this country in early life.
He engaged in farming in New York state and there met and married his wife. G.
A. Ward was the only child born to their union. His mother was a native of New
York state.

    G. A. Ward had but little opportunity for education, attending the country
schools for a period of about six years. When twelve years of age he started out
in life on his own account and obtained a position in the printing office of the
Bath Times, Steuben county, New York, which was his introduction into the
newspaper business. He then went to Bingham, New York, where he worked on a
paper for several years as a compositor and the next eight years he spent in
working on papers in various places. For some time he was on a paper in Dodd
City, Arkansas, and then removed to Yellville, Arkansas, and discontinued his
newspaper activities for some time. He engaged in the construction of a
telephone system from that place to Forsyth, Missouri, and he had charge of the
business there, which was known as the Yellville Telephone Company. The call of
the newspaper proved too great, however, and he resigned his position and
removed to Leslie, where he worked on the Leslie News. For some time he was on
the Searcy News and later he engaged in farming near that place for two years.
He farmed near Nettleton for one year but finally disposed of his land interests
and in 1916 came to Morrillton, where he has since resided. For one year he was
employed on the Democrat and subsequently established the Conway County Unit, in
the conduct of which paper he is now active. He istalled all modern machinery,
cylinder presses, linotype machines and other equipment and he prints a
semi-weekly paper, having a circulation of some two thousand. The paper is
conducted on a progressive and independent basis and it is one of the best
papers in the county. Mr. Ward also does commercial printing and book printing.
He is tireless in his devotion to his newspaper interests and the success he has
achieved in this connection is the result of his own intelligently directed
efforts and innate ability.

     In 1901 at Yellville, this state, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ward
and Miss Amma Wood, a daughter of Joseph Wood, a successful agriculturist near
Flippin. To their union six children have been born: Marina, the wife of W. C.
Morgan, a resident of Morrillton, Ark.; Burleigh, employed in the office of the
Conway County Unit; Ruby, also employed in the office of the paper; Evelyn and
Anna Sue, at home; and Bernice, whose demise occurred at the age of twelve years.

    Mr. Ward follows an independent course in politics, giving his support to
the man he thinks hest fitted for the office without regard for party
principles. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and he is a member of
the State Press Association. Mr. Ward is rightly entitled to the proud American
title of self-made man and those who meet him find that he possesses many of the
qualities which awaken admiration and give rise to warm friendships. He started
out in the business world with no false ideas concerning the way of attaining
success. He early realized that diligence is the root of all honorable
advancement and hy reason of his persistent purpose and the skill which he has
constantly displayed (for he has continually studied the newspaper business in
its various phases), he has gained the liberal patronage which is accorded him
and which is certainly well merited.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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