In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1871
From History of Henry County, Illinois (1910)
ABEL D. WARD.
Abel D. Ward is conducting a profitable business as a farmer and breeder of polled Durham stock. His home is on section 1, Munson township, and his farm of two hundred acres extends over the boundary line into Geneseo township. He was born in the house which he now occupies, March 16, 1871, and is a son of Benjamin and Amanda (Yonker) Ward, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was reared to farm life and in his boyhood attended the district schools, while at fifteen years of age he entered the Collegiate Institute in Geneseo, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1890. He was afterward elected to represent the alumni association on the board of trustees of that institution, and served for twelve years. After completing his school days he cultivated his father's farm as a renter for two years. He was at that time but nineteen years of age and Henry P. Billings and his family lived upon the farm and kept house for him. Mr. Ward's early experience in the fields as he assisted his father through the periods of vacation qualified him to assume the management of the farm at an early age and in all of his work he has been most practical and energetic, passing by no opportunity in a heedless manner but using his advantages in such a way as to win success along honorable business lines. As the years have gone by he has prospered in his undertakings and as his financial resources increased he planned to purchase the home farm and is now the owner of two hundred acres of rich and arable land, much of which lies in section 1, Munson township. Upon the farm are good improvements, the fences and buildings being kept in a state of good repair, while the fields are well tilled and the latest improved machinery is used in cultivating and caring for the crops. An important feature of the place is the breeding of polled Durham stock, and Mr. Ward has raised some very fine cattle upon his place, driving from their sale a substantial annual income.
On the 1 6th of February, 1893, Abel D. Ward was married to Miss Helen Edwards, who was born on a farm in Western township, and is a daughter of Herbert and Harriet (Gordon) Edwards. Her father was a native of Vermont and in his childhood days accompanied his parents to Illinois, the family driving across the country to this state, which was then a pioneer district. The death of Mr. Edwards occurred when his daughter Helen was only about a year old. Her mother was a native of Michigan and with her parents went to Moline, where she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Edwards. Mrs. Ward was the youngest of a family of seven children, of whom six reached years of maturity. Carrie became the wife of Frank Stewart and died in Delta, Colorado, leaving five children. Frank H., living in Henry county, married Anna Smith and has four children. Clarence A., resides in Kearney, Nebraska. Flora is the wife of William Tully, of Grand Island, Nebraska, and has three sons. Grace is the wife of Clarence Ward, a cousin of Abel D. Ward, and a resident of Atkinson township.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Abel D. Ward has been blessed with five children: Grace, who will enter the Collegiate Institute of Genesee in the fall of 1909; Herbert; Clara Marion; Frank Robert; and Charles Edward. The parents are members of the First Presbyterian church in Geneseo and in the work of the church have taken active and helpful part, Mr. Ward serving as superintendent of the Sunday school for many years, while for about fifteen years he has been an elder in the church. His religious principles constitute the guiding factor in his life, making him a man of unquestioned business integrity and of lofty purpose. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. While he believes in many of the principles of the former he is a stanch temperance man and greatly desires to see the abolition of the liquor traffic. He is a man whom to know is to esteem and honor, his sterling qualities winning him friendship and regard from all with whom he comes in contact.
As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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