My Genealogy Hound

GEN. LYMAN M. WARD. There are few men of the present day whom the world acknowledges as successful more worthy of honorable mention, or whose history affords a better illustration of what may be accomplished by a determined will and perseverance, than Gen. Lyman M. Ward, the most efficient Postmaster at Benton Harbor. He was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., October 5, 1836, a son of Rev. Abel C. Ward and grandson of John Ward, both of whom were natives of Connecticut Abel C. Ward was a Congregational clergyman and ministered to the spiritual wants of his fellow-men until his death at Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1869. He was of English descent. His wife, whose maiden name was Esther Dibble, was born in Massachusetts, and died in July, 1893, at her home at Oshkosh, Wis., aged eighty-two years. Six children were born to this estimable couple, of whom our subject is fourth in order of birth. The latter was reared in Genesee County, N. Y., until fifteen years of age, and supplemented a common-school education by attending the High School and a private academy at Fond du Lac, Wis. Later he began the study of law in the office of D. Wood, of Fond du Lac, and there remained until President Lincoln’s call for seventy-five thousand troops brought out all his patriotism. He enlisted in the three-months service. Company I, First Wisconsin Infantry, and after serving his term, re-enlisted in Company A, Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry, under Col. D. Wood, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee.

In 1862, he was made Major of his regiment and was successively promoted to be Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of the Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry. He was in command of a brigade for two years and received the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. He was with the Army of the Tennessee in all its numerous engagements, and no braver soldier than he ever trod the red sod of a battlefield. He was mustered out at Madison, Wis., in 1865, and then went to his home in Fond du Lac, where he remained until 1866. In the last-named year he came to Benton Harbor and was engaged as a horticulturist for some time. In 1879 and 1880, he represented Berrien County in the Legislature as a Republican candidate, and received twelve hundred and forty-seven votes, while his opponents, L. W. Pearl and J. Van Dusen, received seven hundred and thirty-four and four hundred and sixty-one, respectively. He served on several important committees and gave satisfaction to his constituents and the public in general.

On the 13th of March, 1888, Gen. Ward was appointed Postmaster of Benton Harbor and has discharged the duties incumbent upon that position up to the present time to the satisfaction of all concerned. The first year’s income of the office was $6,000, but since then it has increased to $11,000. Gen. Ward’s marriage occurred June 13, 1880, with Miss Nellie T. Child, of Benton Harbor, but a native of New York State. Gen. Ward has ever taken an active interest, politically, in the affairs of the county, and has held a number of local positions. In all things that promise to contribute to the good of Berrien County, he may be counted upon to take a leading part, and as a citizen and neighbor he stands second to none.