George E. Ward

GEORGE E. WARD, of Sharon Springs, seems to have that enviable faculty of handling many enterprises. He is without doubt one of the largest cattle feeders and ranchers in Western Kansas. He is a lawyer, has been county attorney, postmaster and has filled many other responsible positions in public service in Wallace County and in the state government.

Mr. Ward was born near Fort Scott, Kansas, June 13, 1876. His father, D. R. Ward, was born in Indiana in 1844 and his grandfather was born in the same state in 1818. The family were pioneers in Kansas Territory, settling here in 1856. The grandfather died near Fort Scott in 1901. D. R. Ward was twelve years of age when brought to Kansas, finished his education in this state, and spent his active career as a successful farmer. In 1887 he came to the western border of the state, locating near Sharon Springs, where he homesteaded 160 acres. About 1913 he sold his homestead, and after that lived retired in Sharon Springs until his death June 9, 1918. He was a republican and had served throughout the Civil war with the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, enlisting in 1861. He married Frances J. Weddle, who was born in Missouri in 1851 and still lives at Sharon Springs. Their children were: W. E. Ward, of Sharon Springs; George; Flynn, of Kansas City, Missouri; Joseph, of Sharon Springs; Ernest, of Sharon Springs; Forest and Jesse, both of whom are with the United States forces in France.

George E. Ward was eleven years of age when his parents came out to Wallace County. He finished his education in Sharon Springs, and until the age of twenty-one was on his father's ranch.

In 1898 he was elected register of deeds of Wallace County, and by re-election in 1900 and 1902 served six years, making a record of efficiency that has been noted in all his subsequent undertakings. While in office he read law, and in 1904 was elected county attorney and was re-elected in 1906, making another four years of public office. In the spring of 1907 he was appointed postmaster of Sharon Springs by President Roosevelt, and filled that office eight years, being continued under President Taft.

Despite these many official responsibilities Mr. Ward has all the time been identified with ranching on a large scale. He owns 5,000 acres, and besides raising great numbers of cattle on his own account winters many herds for other owners. Another line of employment in which he has been unusually successful is real estate, and he has handled real estate for himself and others ever since reaching his majority. He has his office in that business in Sharon Springs.

Mr. Ward was elected mayor of Sharon Springs in 1917, and is still giving the town a capable administration. He has also served several terms on the council. He is a stockholder in the Sharon Springs Townsite Company. Mr. Ward is a republican, is affiliated with Sharon Springs Lodge of Masons, also the Odd Fellows at the same place, and Goodland Lodge of Knights of Pythias. During Governor Capper's first administration he was chosen a member of the Kansas State Board of Irrigation, and the other members of that board elected him president or chairman. His long residence, many interests and public spirit made him a valuable member of that responsible body.

In 1897 Mr. Ward married at Sharon Springs Miss Anna Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Howard, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a farmer and rancher. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have four children: Inez M., born January 14, 1899, is a graduate of the Sharon Springs High School and is now in the first year of the Kansas University at Lawrence; Guy H., born November 24, 1904, is in the eighth grade of the public schools; Dorothy, born February 24, 1913; and Harold Milton, born May 21, 1918.

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