ZEBEDIAH WARD Biographical Record of Hancock Co. Ill. 1907
By Lonnie Fink lonfink@dmrtc.net
Zebediah Ward, now deceased, was born in the state of New York, Mar. 20 1816, and resided there until he reached early manhood. He afterward accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana, where they lived for several years, subsequent to which time they came to Illinois, settling in Danville, Vermillion County. He was a wagon maker by trade and followed that pursuit after his arrival in this State. He removed from Vermillion to Hancock county, locating at Webster, where he resided for about fifteen, years, continuing to work at his trade during that period. He next purchased the farm on which his widow now resides making the investment in this property in May 1854. The farm comprises sixty acres of rich productive land, which he improved, erecting thereon buildings and adding other modern equipments and accessories. Mr. Ward engaged in tilling of the soil from that time forward until his death, and as the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings.
On the 13th of January, 1848, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ward and Miss Arzilla Wright, a daughter of Hickerson and Cynthis (Donnoho) Wright. The parents were both natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Tennessee, and from that state came to Illinois in May 1834, settling in Hancock County among its early residents. They lived one half mile north of Webster in Fountain Green township, where Mr. Wright entered land from the government and developed a farm, residing thereon until his death which occurred when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years. He was a democrat in his political views. His wife passed away many years before. In the family are twelve children, seven of whom are living. The family record is as follows: Mrs. Ward is the oldest. Seabern A., born Oct. 9 1824, is a farmer residing in Fountain Green township. Seneca D., born Oct. 19 1826, was a prominent farmer of the same township but is now deceased. Martha E. who was born Sept. 14, 1828 has passed away. Patrick W., born Aug 28 1830, is deceased. Bazil, born Aug. 16 1832, died at the age of sixteen years. Henry D., born July 27 1834, is living in California. Thomas G., born Nov 9 1836, has departed this life. Letha J., born March 14 1838. Charles G., born June 21 1840, and Cynthis A., born Sept. 30 1844, are all living. The youngest of the family died in infancy.
Mrs. Ward was born in Smith county Tennessee, Sept. 24 1822, and was nine years of age when her parents left that state and removed to Hopkins Co. Kentucky, where they lived for three years. They then came to Illinois in May 1834. She obtained her education in the early subscription schools of the county and remained at home until her marriage. She became the mother of three children two of whom are living. Wright, the eldest, a farmer now residing in Arkansas married Elizabeth Prior and they have one daughter Cora, who is now the wife of Sanford Francis by whom she has three children. Mark Ward a farmer residing near Memphis, Missouri wedded Letha A. Thurber and they have one daughter Fay. Lorinda became the wife of Benton Alton and died at the age of forty-four years, leaving a daughter Anna B.
The death of Mr. Ward occurred Feb. 26 1895, when he was almost eighty years of age and his remains were interred in the Middle Creek cemetery. He voted with the Democracy, held membership in the Christian Church and was one of the progressive men of his day. His life period covered the greater part of the ninteenth century during which time he witnessed many changes, including the building of the railroads, the introduction of the telegraph and telephone and reclamation of the wild lands of the west for the purposes of civilization. He did his full share on the work of public progress and improvement in this county and was known as one of its most prominent pioneer citizens. Mrs. Ward still survives her husband and lives upon the old farm homestead. She too is representative of one of the oldest families of the county and no history of this section would be complete without mention of her.
