Stephen Ward

The body of Stephen Ward, whose death at Kirksville, Mo., was noted in these columns last week, arrived here last Wednesday and the funeral held Thursday afternoon at the Methodist Church, Rev. W.H. Underwood officiating. Burial was in the Blair Cemetery where so many of his war comrades lie sleeping and where each Memorial Day hereafter his grave will be decorated with loving hands.

Mr. Ward was born in Sullivan County, New York, July 8th, 1846, so was almost 79 years of age. He was but a lad when he enlisted in the army during the Civil War, serving the last year in Co. D, 2nd Iowa Cavalry, from which he was honorably discharged.

On February 11th, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Olive Howes, at Ellington, Iowa, and five children were born to them, but one of whom is now living, Norris, of Kennard. The family moved to this county about thirty years ago and engaged in farming up to a few years ago, when they moved to this city. Mr. Ward has been in failing health for the past four years with diabetes. An ingrowing toe nail started a gangrenous condition that necessitated the amputation of his great toe, then the foot was sacrificed, but his condition was such that he couldn’t stand the shock and death resulted at the Laughlin Hospital in Kirksville on July 2nd. Besides the widow and son, Norris, he leaves three brothers, Jacob, of Forest City, Ia., John, of Wisconsin, Sylvester, of Sawyer, S.D., and two sisters, Mrs. Mellissa Whities, of Wells, Minn., and Mrs. Emma Welker, of Mason City, Ia., besides a host of relatives and friends. Mr. Ward was a member of John A. Dix Post of the G.A.R. and the W.R.C. conducted their ritual service at the church and the G.A.R. at the grave.

#2-Tribune 12 July 1923

Obituary of Stephen Ward Who Died In Kirksville, MO.

The funeral of Stephen Ward who passed away in a Kirksville, Mo. hospital, was held in the Methodist Church on Friday, W.H. Underwood of Crowell Memorial Home, officiating.

The subject of this sketch was born in Sullivan County, N.Y. When a youth he came to Iowa, and before reaching his majority, he went to the defense of his country’s flag, enlisting in Co. D, 2nd Iowa Cavalry and served to the end of the war.

He was united in marriage with Miss Olive A. Howes, in the winter of 1871. They came to Washington County, Nebraska, to make their home.

Five children were born to them of whom three died in early childhood. Alfred E., living to be 19 years of age died on July 19, 1892. Norris Ward is the only surviving child and he will be a great comfort to the surviving mother in her sorrow. Besides these relatives who live to mourn the death of Mr. Ward, are four grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters. They are Jacob Ward of Forest City, Iowa; Sylvester Ward, who lives in South Dakota; John Ward, a resident of Wisconsin; Mrs. Melissa Whites of Wells, Minn., and Mrs. Emma Welker of Mason City, Iowa.

#3-5 July, 1923 - The Enterprise - Civil War Veteran

STEPHEN WARD

Stephen Ward was born July 8, 1846 in Sullivan county, New York. When but a boy the parents moved to Iowa where he grew to manhood.

When a young man he enlisted in the army, serving the last year in Co. D. Second Iowa Cavalry and was honorably discharged.

He was married to Miss Olive Howes at Ellington, Hancock county, Iowa on Feb. 11, 1872, and to this union five children, one girl and four boys, were born, all of whom except one son, Norris, have passed to the great beyond.

He with his family moved to Blair about thirty years ago, and for a number of years he was engaged in farming, but in later years he has resided in Blair.

He has been in failing health for the past four years, and his death was the direct result of diabetes gangrene.

He passed away Monday, July 2, at 2:30 p.m. at the hospital at Kirksville, Mo. where he had been taken for treatment, and the body was brought to Blair on Wednesday.

The funeral services will be held at the M.E. church tomorrow at 2 p.m., Rev. Underwood officiating, and interment will be made in the Blair cemetery, thus another of the few remaining of the Civil War veterans has passed to that home from whence no one ever returns.

He leaves to mourn him his aged wife and one son, Norris, besides three brothers, Jake of Forrest City, Iowa; John of Wisconsin; Sylvester of Sawyer, South Dakota; and two sisters, Mrs. Molissa Whites of Wells, Minn.; and Mrs. Emma Welker of Mason City, Iowa; besides a number of nephews and nieces and a host of friends.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #57412195