A Ward Story

"A Ward Story"

This narrative was written by my father, Charles E. Ward, about his father's family migrating from his (Great Great Grandpa Ward) birth place in North Carolina. (Probably written in the late 1980’s.)

Wm. Thomas Ward, with his wife Mary Ann Nations, lived in or near Wilmont, NC. He had built, since he was a carpenter, a good home near Wilmont on the Tuckicee River. It was there that five children were born; Lillian Lou, Leander Berry, John Logan, William Cash, and Alfred Sylvester. It was there that William farmed the land on both sides of the river. Severe floods along that river caused great damage to both buildings and the farm land resulting in William's decision to move westward. His decision to move westward was also ignited by the Westward movement of the entire nation.
The move westward, by any family in 1889 meant only the selection of one of two methods. That was railroad coach or hose drawn carriage. William Thomas Ward moved almost the entire family when he moved. That meant from six to nine people along with their personal belongings and whatever they were wearing. It meant leaving all large articles such as beds, tables, chairs and other household items behind. Paved roads, moving vans, and automobiles had not been even thought of. Wm. Thomas Ward moved his entire family at least five (5) times.
William's first move was from North Carolina to Harrison, Arkansas. Our father, yet but a small boy, viewed Arkansas much like a desert compared to the hilly tree covered North Carolina.
In just over a one year William moved on to Neosho, Missouri. Tragedy struck in Neosho. It was there that the William Thomas Ward Family lost their mother by death August 5, 1899. The Ward's mother was buried in Neosho. By now the oldest of the Wm. Thomas Wards family was 22 years old, the youngest 13. It was in Neosho that Lillian Lou had married Robert Earl Paul, a marriage that brought a grandson who was named Robert Leon Paul or to us "Lonnie". Carpentry work was very limited in Neosho. It was time to move. By this time it was evident that the Ward family migration was being controlled by lack of employment and also William's desire to see what was on the other side of the hill.
Hearing that there was a growing mining town in Colorado, William gathered his family and moved to Trinidad, Colo. In addition to his own children, he moved his new grandson, leaving the father, who was in Texas at the time, without an address where he could find his wife and child. This was the last time Lonnie was to see his father. This was done simply because Wm. Thomas did not approve of his daughter's marriage to Robert Earl Paul. Although living conditions in Trinidad were not the best, the William Thomas Ward family did favorably well and their employment was satisfactory for a number of years. Two marriages took place in Trinidad. The most important to us was, of course, the marriage of our father, Wm. Cash Ward to Ethel May Guye on August 1, 1907. We knew little of this marriage except that the pictures show two happy people with our mother being a most beautiful lady and our father a quiet, sober, calm, serious young man.
The call to move was on again. Wm. Thomas, with two new additions; Ethel Guye, Cash’s wife and his new wife Fannie, moved to Longmont, Colo. Little time was spent in Longmont. They did stay long enough for Cash and Ethel’s first son, Harold, to be born January 4, 1909.
Quickly the move from Longmont to Cheyenne, Wyo. was made in 1910. Residence in Cheyenne was of a short period being a little less than a year. But in that short period of time Lillian Lou met and married Edwin Percy Deeter.
There was total unemployment in Cheyenne. This resulted in yet another move. This time it was the City of Blackfoot, Id. The moving crowd was now increasing with both marriages and new children being added. Also by now all the Wm. Ward family had reached the age where marriage takes over and families are beginning to form. Lee had married Mattie Briggs; John had married Clara Sommercorn and Sylvester had married Iva Conkle. They established homes in Rupert, Fort Hall and Blackfoot and with the exception of Sylvester began to add children to their families. Also at this time Lillian and Percy Deeter had moved to Rupert with Lillian’s son Lonnie.
What had happened to the Cash and Ethel Ward Family? The wanderer, Wm Thomas had alone gone further west about 250 miles to a small town of Council, Idaho. There he acquired 20 acres of farm land to be used as home for the Wm Cash Ward and his family. Cash Ward, by now being a qualified carpenter, built a small home on this property and some years later replaced that home with a beautiful large home.
With all of his children now out on their own Wm. Thomas had completed his task. He had been instrumental in seeing them growing into man and woman-hood. Creating, for the most part men and women that were a great credit to their families, their community and their nation.
We that did know him should be proud to be of his lineage. We have all been good citizens performing well for our churches and our country. May all of Wm. Thomas Ward’s generation continue to be an asset to the human race. May they enjoy their lives and continue to be God’s loving children.
Wm. Thomas Ward spent his last days in Ogden, UT. His daughter Lillian and son Cash lived in Ogden. The Wards and Deeters (Cash and Lillian) obtained living quarters in the second story apartment of an old house on 12th street (just around the corner from Cash and Lillian) for William and Fannie, They lived there until Wm. pasted away. My brother Harold, during William’s last days, would take him for walks on 12th street. Our sweet mother was constantly carrying food to him and his wife Fannie. Our mother was a complete friend; visiting and helping him in his last days. William died and was buried June 16, 1927 at Blackfoot, ID.

Harold, Doris and Chas E. Ward’s picture (impression) of their grandfather Wm. Thomas Ward:
Grandfather was a autocratic, stern, and somewhat dictatorial, especially with his family. There was no question of his love for them and his desire to help them, even though at times they wished he would stay removed from their own decision making. He was a bible student and enjoyed immensely discussions and arguments of the bible. There is no question that he believed in God and in Christ’s teachings. His greatest interest throughout life was his efforts to guard and further his family’s welfare.


Harold, Doris and Chas E. Ward’s picture (impression) of their father Wm. Cash Ward:

Wm Cash Ward was for the most part dead serious. He was most happy when he was working; he loved work! He loved our mother and for the most part saw that she had every desire that she wanted. He loved Harold, Doris and I; not in a playful way but in a serious way. In his life everything had to done right; there was no wrong way. He was not a joyous person but he could laugh as loud as anyone, especially if he was playing cards.
He was an ardent fisherman but let his work keep him from the fishing hole. He and his nephew Lonnie Paul would arise many mornings at dawn to be on the fishing hole when the fish began to bite.
Honesty was something that was uppermost; a total commitment in all his actions. He was not friendly, neither was he unfriendly, he stood somewhere in the middle; some what cautions. He was not a church goer. Whether he believed in God we never really knew. We did know that there was one rule that he practiced and had full faith in: the Golden Rule. “Do unto others s you would have them do unto you.”