Washington Co., AR - Biographies - William Robert Ward *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** William Robert Ward, farmer of Prairie Township, is the son of Squire and Winnie (Duncan) Ward. The father was born in South Carolina, but was reared in Tennessee, and the mother was born in Washington County, Va. Both lived near the Tennessee and Virginia line. After marriage they moved to Hancock County, Ind., and were among the early settlers. In 1853 they moved to Schuyler County, Mo., and four years later to Washington County, Ark. The mother died in Dallas, Tax., at the age of sixty-six. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The father was a house carpenter and wagon-maker by trade; was a Democrat previous to the war, but after that memorable struggle he affiliated with the Republican party. In their family were thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters, the fifth child being William R. Ward. He was born in Hancock County, Ind., March 16, 1838, was reared to farm life and educated to a limited extent. When about sixteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked about three years, and then, not liking the trade, abandoned it. October, 1861, he entered the quartermaster's department, Confederate service, and was most of the time in that department until the close of the war. In 1865 he returned to Washington County, and has since made it his home. In 1866 he married Miss Hannah Stelle, daughter of Timothy and Permelia (Skelton) Stelle, and a native of Washington County, Ark., born on the place where Mr. Ward now lives, February 12, 1845. Four children were born to this union: Timothy S., Hiram D., Miles V. (deceased) and Homer O. Mrs. Ward was a member of the Christian Church, and died March 24, 1888. After marriage Mr. Ward settled on the place where he now lives, which consists of 161 acres, seventy-five under cultivation. Mr. Ward has lived in this county for thirty-one years, and is a good citizen. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian Church.