CENTRE LINES

The Ward Family

This column is part of a feature series which focuses on a different Centre County family each week. Five new columns will be released each month unless some technical difficulty enters the picture.

This column's focus is on Ward. An effort has been made to identify all persons carrying that name in the 1890 U.S. Census, using the Centre County business directory which was formed from a preliminary review of that census before the larger set of 1890 U.S. Census records was destroyed by fire. (Sadly, the postal directory does not typically provide the ages of females, but it's the best record we've got).

No books in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte apparently deal in part with the Ward family.

There are 11 different first-name entries for Ward in John Blair Linn's History of Centre and Clinton County (1883). In addition, there are several references to the name in Beers' Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania (1898).

And, now, your ancestors' WARD neighbors in 1890:

In BELLEFONTE Borough:

Edward J., 31, dentist--Crider's Exchange Bella M. Mike, 26, laborer--16 E. Logan Philo, 72, patternmaker--131 N. Penn Hannah

In FERGUSON Township:

George W., 27, laborer--Pine Grove Mills Mary B. Joseph, 64, carpenter--Pine Grove Mills Mary Clara E. Lucetta Mary Mary W.--Pine Grove Mills Warren S., 31, clerk--Penna. Furnace Ida A. Simon 63 Anna M. Annie F. William B., 41, carpenter--Pine Grove Mills Amanda L. James C. 15 Henry B. 13 Simon E. 10 Anna L. Rhetta M. Florence E.

In HALFMOON Township:

John, 58, blacksmith--Stormstown Sarah J. Bella G. George G. 14 Amos S. 11

In PHILIPSBURG Borough:

Elizabeth--6th St. William A., 51, carpenter--Pine St. Harriet N. Mary E. Martha E. Harriet B. Savannah R.

In SNOW SHOE Township:

Hugh, 49, laborer--Moshannon Mary Catharine Ellen Edward 13 Sarah Thomas 8 Lida Mary Bridget John W. 51 Parker, 33, farmer--Moshannon Annie Patrick 68

In SPRING Township:

George W., 34, laborer--Bellefonte Polly A. Bertie V. Robert B. 10 Lillie B. Arabella M. Emeline William G. 2