William Ward was born in Clinton county, Missouri, December 8, 1844. He is a son of Rev. A. J. Ward, a minister in the Baptist Church and now laboring in this and adjoining counties. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother whose maiden name was Nancy. Sharp, was a native of Tennessee; she died when he was about ten years of age. At about the age of seventeen years he enlisted as a member of Company C, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and served about three years and was with the regiment in its many scouts and marches and always able and ready for duty; was never wounded, taken prisoner, nor in the hospital; and all of this service was rendered in defense of his country while yet a minor. At the close of the war he engaged in farming till February, 1881, when he began his present drug business.
He was married March 5, 1870, to Miss Delilah Williams. She was born in December, 1853, in Daviess county; her father, William Williams, was born in Kentucky, and her mother, Amanda Williams, nee Webb, was a native of Ohio; they are still residents of this county. Mr. Ward has always had to depend upon his own resources and as a result now owns sixty acres of land, a town residence, and an interest in the drug store. He has served his township as constable for two years, and being a fine business man and of an upright character, he stands highly esteemed by his many acquaintances.