OBIT: Ambrose WARD, 1886, Blair County, PA

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AMBROSE WARD.

One of Altoona's Oldest and Most Useful Citizens Passes Away.

When at 8.45 o'clock on Sunday morning, August 15, 1886, Ambrose Ward
ceased from among men, Altoona lost one of her most useful and honored
citizens and the innumerable company who surround the throne of God
received an accession in the person of one of the purest spirits that
ever trod this sin-cursed earth.  It was fitting that one who in his
walk among men for so many years manifested, all unconscious to
himself, so many saintly qualities should pass to the company of the
saints above on the morning of the Lord's day.

Ambrose Ward was born in the city of Newark, N. J., on November 11,
1811, and was therefore aged 74 years, 9 months and 3 days at the time
of his death.  In 1815, when Ambrose was less than four years old, his
parents migrated west, settling at Cincinnati, where they remained
about one year, removing thence to Connersville, Indiana.  His father
died in 1818.  His mother remained with her family at Connersville
until 1824, when she returned to New Jersey, locating at Bloomfield,
in that state.  At the age of 15 the subject of this notice was
apprenticed to a carpenter who failed in business before Ambrose had
completed his apprenticeship.  He was transferred to a sash and blind
manufacturer, and at the expiration of his term of service was made
foreman of the establishment.  Thus early in life did his special
qualifications for responsible posts attract attention.  Within less
than two years he resigned his position and became a member of the
firm of Lamacina, Ward & Co., with which he remained some eighteen or
twenty months, when he withdrew and entered into contracting and
building on his own account.

In the spring of 1839 he gave up contracting and removing to Jersey
City worked at his trade for some years, after which he engaged in the
railroad business in that place, continuing thereat for some twelve
years.  Mr. Ward entered the service of the Pennsylvania railroad
company in 1853 as foreman of the car shops and remained constantly
thenceforward in the service of that corporation until the day of his
death.  In 1858 he became a resident of Altoona, at which time he was
promoted to the position of general foreman of the car department over
the entire road, running from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.  He held
this position until 1862 when a new department was inaugurated which
relieved him of a portion of his arduous duties.  At the same time the
name of the position held by him was changed to that of general car
inspector.  This position he continued to hold until the day of his
death.

Mr. Ward was united in marriage with Miss Anna Marsh, at Bloomfield,
New Jersey, August 28, 1833.  They celebrated their golden wedding in
the company of their surviving children and friends almost three years
ago.  For fifty-three years, less two weeks, their happy married life
continued, and now the aged wife is left alone, and yet not alone,
since she has the memory of her husband's life, the ministrations of
affectionate children, the comforts of our holy religion to sustain
her.  Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ward, of which number
but three survive.  Four died in infancy, and one, Fred. C. Ward, in
honor of whom Fred C. Ward Post No. 468, Grand Army of the Republic,
was named, was mortally wounded at the battle of Antietam, September
17, 1862, dying two days later.  His patriotic dust reposes in the
national cemetery at Antietam.  The surviving children are Mary E.,
wife of Richard Gill, deceased, of Torrens station, Allegheny county,
Julia A., wife of H. H. Huber, also of Torrens station, and Hattie J.,
wife of William Few, of this city.

These children are grieved at the stroke which has deprived them of an
earthly father, but his pure life and his peaceful end must prove to
them even in this dark hour a source of comfort.

Mr. Ward was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than
half a century.  He was one of the organizers of the Eighth Avenue
Methodist Episcopal church, was the first superintendent of its Sunday
school, was a member of its board of stewards from the organization
until the time of his death.  He was faithful in the discharge of all
his religious duties and will be sadly missed in the preaching
service, the prayer meeting, the official meetings and every other
department of church activity.  He was one of those men whose
Christianity is known and read of all men.  Living an upright and
godly life he was ready to depart when the summons came.  Though he
loved his earthly home, his children, his brethren and his friends,
and had none of that morbid yearning for death of which one sometimes
hears, yet he realized that he had a fairer home on high, and during
his last illness, which continued for several weeks, he more than once
expressed his readiness to depart and be with Christ.  And thus he
came to the end of his earthly journey in peace.

As an employe of the Pennsylvania railroad company he was faithful to
every trust committed to his charge.  Never was more faithful service
rendered, and his zeal and energy and discretion were fully understood
and appreciated by the company.  To those who served under him he was
kind and just.  They feel that they have lost a father.  Indeed all
who ever came within the circle of his influence, whether in secular
or religious work, feel that they have lost a father in his decease.
So simple were his ways, so loving and unselfish his disposition, so
transparent his character, that none knew him but to love him.  Though
he was firm as a rock when principle was at stake, yet so apparent was
his honesty of purpose that it was impossible not to respect and love
him.  His death robs his wife of a faithful husband, his children of a
loving father, the church of an earnest and pure-hearted member, the
community of a good citizen, the Pennsylvania railroad company of one
of its best employes.  But heaven is the richer for his decease.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Thursday, August 19, 1886, page 3