This weekend, with his granddaughter and great-grandchildren in attendance, the Indiana Historical Bureau, the American Legion, and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History will dedicate a historical marker commemorating the lifetime achievements of Wilson native Dr. Joseph H. Ward. Though I’ve blogged about him here and here and here and here, this seemed an appropriate time to feature yet another long newspaper article detailing Dr. Ward’s accomplishments.
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“The appointment of Dr. [Joseph H.] Ward to this position marks a decided step forward for the race. In many respects this may be regarded as the highest office to which a Negro has ever been appointed, certainly the most responsible.”
Topeka Plaindealer, 25 July 1924.
Photos courtesy of L. Bates.
I love reading stories like this! Thx!
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Yes! My cousins are so excited! I continually search for evidence of any return visits to Wilson by Cousin Joseph Ward. His mother and sisters migrated to DC, then Indianapolis and beyond, but he had an uncle who may have remained. His father was Napoleon Hagans of the Eureka area, and his half-brothers remained in Wayne County into the 20th century.