| John Ward |
| John Ward, Deputy
P.M. of Hanover post office, and farmer; son of James and
Catherine Sweeney Ward; was born in County Fermanagh,
Ireland, Aug. 15, 1820; received a liberal education in
his native country, and with his parents came to the U.S.
in 1842, they locating at Somerville, near Boston, Mass.
In 1846 he enlisted in Co. I., 2d U. S. artillery,
serving in Gen. Wool's division during the Mexican War,
participating in several battles, including the capture
of the City of Mexico. In 1852 he enlisted on board the
U.S. sloop of war, Marion, engaged in the prevention of
the slave traffic from Africa to the U.S., their cruise
being mostly on the western coast of Africa, serving a
portion of the time as ship's clerk. In 1855 they
returned to Norfolk, Va., he coming on to Washington,
where he was discharged and then came home. In 1856 he
came to Iowa, stopping in Glenwood Township, Winneshiek
Co., until 1858, when he came to Hanover Township, where
he now owns a farm of 360 acres, valued at $20 per acre.
Mr. Ward was married to Miss Bridget Ward in Ireland, in
1839. She died in the spring of 1849, and the following
fall he was married to Miss Mary Ward, a cousin of his
first wife. His children by his first wife are Wm. F.,
John and Alice, and by the second marriage, William,
Ellen, Thomas, Mary, Patrick, Catherine and Anna. He has
lost by death one son, James. Mr. Ward is at present
justice of the peace of his Township, which office he has
filled for twenty-two years. He has also served as clerk
for eighteen years, and is the present deputy postmaster
of Hanover post office. 545-546 |