Henry Ward was born in McLean county, Illinois, October 15, 1834. His parents, Stew-art and Annie Ward, came from Pennsylvania to Illinois in 1832, and during those early days had many narrow escapes from the Indians. His father came to Missouri, to look at the country, in 1841, and was taken sick and died, July 9, of that year. His mother died March 31, 1844. Young Ward was reared and educated in Illinois and lived there till 1865, then came to Missouri and located in Daviess county. He was married February 18, 1857, to Miss Eleanor J. Wilkins, a native of McLean county, Illinois, born February 7, 1837. She was a daughter of James and Agnes Wilkins, who came to Missouri in 1840, and settled in Daviess county and were among its first settlers. Her father was drowned in Sampson Creek, May 28, 1848, and her mother died August 29, 1877. After coming to Missouri Mr. Ward, followed farming till April, 1881, then entered the mercantile business in Pattonsburg. He has filled many positions of trust in the township, such as revenue collector and treasurer of township, and as justice of the peace, from 1872 to 1881, and is also notary public. He is a thorough going business man and by hard study has well qualified himself to fill with credit the many positions he has filled. He has had and still holds, the confidence of the people and is one whom they not only consult, but in whom they place implicit trust. He owns a fine farm of 120 acres. Politically he is a staunch Republican, and voted first for J. C. Freemont, and every president since.
