Wilson native Joseph H. Ward, who left home in his teens, arrived in Indiana circa 18xx after working in Kinston, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. His uncle, Henry Ward, preceded him to Indianapolis and may have been the future Dr. Ward’s draw to that midwestern state.
I’ve talked about two of Henry Ward’s daughters, Nora Ward Goens and Mattie Ward Robinson, so let’s round out the family.
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- Henry and Sarah Forbes Ward
On 16 June 1870, Henry Ward, son of D.G.W. Ward and Sarah Darden, married Sarah Forbes, daughter of Henry Forbes, in Wilson. Rev. L. Moye performed the ceremony at a M.E. Zion church.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Ward, 21, and wife Sallie, 19, next door to Henry Forbes, 48, domestic servant, wife Louise, 43, children Charles, 15, Georgiana, 21, and John, 21, and Patsey Forbes, 70.
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: plow shop worker Henry Ward, 27, wife Sarah, 28, and children Walter, 9, Manora, 7, Lilly, 5, Claudius, 3, and Addie, 1.
The Wards left Wilson in the mid-1880s and apparently migrated first to Indianapolis. During that time, Henry Ward transformed himself from farm laborer and plow shop worker to Baptist minister. [Henry Ward’s name undergoes several adjustments, too, with “Henry” being the only constant. Over the next twenty or so years, he appears in records as Edward H., E. Henry, B.H., C.H., and Edwin H. Ward.]
Perhaps, in the 1888 Indianapolis city directory: Ward Edward H Rev pastor Reid St Baptist church, res rear 18 Bismarck, and in the 1889 directory: Ward Edward H Rev pastor Reid St Baptist church, res rear 56 Meek
In the 1890 Indianapolis city directory: Ward Henry Rev h 47 Hosbrook; also, Ward Edward H clk Koch & Ruske h 47 Holbrook [is this the same person?]. Also, Ward Walter lab h 228 Hosbrook. [And Ward Joseph servant 291 W Michigan, who appears to be the future Dr. Joseph H. Ward.]
In the 1893 Indianapolis city directory: Ward E Henry Rev h 247 W Ohio
On 6 February 1894, Nora Ward, 21, daughter of B.H. Ward and Sallie Forbes, married Eugene Goins, 22, son of Lewis Goins and Edna Martin, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
By 1899, the Wards had moved south to Nashville.
In the 1899 Nashville, Tennessee, city directory: Ward Edward H Rev (c) pastor Summit Street Baptist Church h 637 Woods
In the 1900 Nashville, Tennessee, city directory: Ward Edward H Rev (c) pastor Summit Street Baptist Church h 610 Lea av
In the 1900 census of Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee: at 527 High Street, minister Edwin H. Ward, 44; wife Sallie, 43; and daughters Adelia, 20, seamstress, and Mattie, 16.
Mattie L. Robinson died 12 March 1921 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was born 16 September 1884 in Wilson, N.C., to Henry Ward and Sallie Forbes; was married to J.W. Robinson; and was buried in Springhill Cemetery, Danville.
I’ve found nothing further on Edwin, Sarah “Sallie,” or Adelia “Addie” Ward.
On 24 February 1897, Walter D. Ward, 26, born in North Carolina, son of E.H. Ward and Sallie Forbs, married Clara Lewis, 25, born in Indiana, daughter of R. Lewis and Lizzie [maiden name not listed.]
In the 1900 census of Manitou, El Paso County, Colorado: barber Walter Ward, 29, born in North Carolina, and wife Clara, 28, born in Indiana. Also, in the same census: W.D. Ward, 29, born in North Carolina, married, hotel bell boy.
Colorado Springs Gazette, 26 August 1904.
On 15 November 1904, Walter Ward and Clara Ward were divorced in El Paso County, Colorado.
Colorado Springs Gazette, 16 November 1904.
In the 1910 census of Manitou, El Paso County, Colorado: servant Walter Ward, 38, barber, in hotel on Canon Avenue.
Cliff House is still receiving guests in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Photo at Wikipedia, courtesy of Susie T.
In the 1920 census of Denver, Denver County, Colorado: at 2941 California Street, Walter D. Ward, 44, porter in plumber’s shop, and wife Mallie, 32, laundress.
Walter Ward and Mallie Ward were divorced 10 December 1920 in Denver, Colorado.
On 20 September 1895, Lillian Ward, 22, born in North Carolina, daughter of C.H. Ward and Sally [no maiden name], married Leslie Gentry, 22, born in Kentucky, son of R. Gentry and Dealy Cericke, in Marion County, Indiana.
Indianapolis Journal, 21 November 1895.
I’ve found nothing further on Lillian Ward Gentry.
- Henry and Louise Forbes Ward
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Ward, 21, and wife Sallie, 19, next door to Henry Forbes, 48, domestic servant, wife Louise, 43, children Charles, 15, Georgiana, 21, and John, 21, and Patsey Forbes, 70.
I have not found the Forbes family in the 1880 census. Based on city directories, however, widow Louise Forbes and her sons migrated to Indianapolis about 1889.
In the 1890 Indianapolis, Indiana, city directory: Forbes Louise (widow Henry) h 225 Huron. Louise Forbes appears in city directories throughout the 1890s, as do her sons Charles C. Forbes and George Forbes.
In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana: at 508 Minerva, Louezer Forbes, 77; sons Charles, 45, and George A., 39, day laborers; and great-grandson Claude, 7.
In the 1910 census of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana: at 512 Minerva, Louise Forbes, 87, and sons George, 61, and Charlie, 53, laborers on public buildings.
In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana: at 542 Minerva, Charles Forbes, 65, lodger, laborer on city streets.
Charles Forbes died 26 May 1930 in the Marion County Home, Indianapolis, Indiana. Per his death certificate, he was 76 years old; was white [sic]; and was born in North Carolina to Henry Forbes and Lucile Richardson.
