Santa
Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM B. WARD
An association of thirty-six years with the
city of San Jose has increasingly demonstrated the business and general worth
of William B. Ward, senior member of the firm of W. B. Ward & Son, well
known funeral directors. Mr. Ward owes his early allegiance to Utica, N. Y.,
where he was born June 4, 1849, and near which town he was reared on the farm
of his parents. Hard work, moderate circumstances, and the small promise of his
native locality set in motion whatever of resource he possessed, aided by the
example of his brother, Bernard, who had immigrated in 1852 to the coast, where
he found scope for his ambition in landscape gardening in San Jose.
In the spring of 1868 Mr. Ward set
sail from New York for the Isthmus of Panama, thence embarking for San
Francisco and coming direct to San Jose, where he found his brother engaged in
a flourishing landscape gardening business. He learned quickly the interesting
art, becoming of valuable assistance to his brother in many of the undertakings which still remain a monument to their combined
skill. Examples cited are the beautiful grounds of W. P. Dougherty, the Murphy
and Buckley estates, and the grounds of the Convent of Notre Dame. William B.
and Bernard Ward removed the two noted palm trees from Santa Clara street, where the Porter building now stands, to the Porter
residence on St. James street, where they now stand. For five years Mr. Ward
taught M. D. Kell the art of farming and cultivation
of the soil and afterward he broke in many of General Naegley’s
horses. In earlier days Bernard Ward had got his start through Major Hensley, a
wealthy man under whose direction he set out all of the shade trees on North
First street, and otherwise contributed to the decorative aspect of the city.
His promising career was unfortunately terminated by his death in 1876.
In 1874 William B. Ward returned to
the east, but, following the invariable rule, the east failed to satisfy him,
for he was continually reminded of the inexpressible charm which binds to the
west with bands of steel all who have once fallen under its wonderful
influence. Returning in 1876 he became interested in a general express business
for four years, and for the following six years was a member of the police
force of San Jose. Subsequently he conducted an undertaking enterprise for two
years on Market street under the firm name of Cummings
& Ward, and then dissolved the partnership. Later he became a member of the
firm of Welsch, Shwall
& Wall, a year later purchasing the interest of
Mr. Welsch and conducting the business under the firm
name of Ward & Schwall. Six months later Mr. Schwall withdrew and the firm name was changed to Ward
& Kell. Four years and six months later Mr. Ward
became sole possessor of the business, conducting it alone until taking his
only son, Berton L., as a partner in 1903. This
departure by no means partook of an experiment, for ever since his college days
the younger man had studied under his father, and had learned the business to
the extent of being able to manage it intelligently. Recently Mr. Ward has
retired from active life, and in his beautiful home on the corner of North
Third and Empire streets is spending his later years as befits a man who has
wrought success with his own unaided efforts and raised himself high in the
public esteem.
It is in connection with his home
life that Mr. Ward is best understood and appreciated, and it would seem that
the elements which have contributed to his popularity have been fostered and
maintained in the delightful atmosphere which he has always created for those
dependent upon his care. His wife was formerly Mary A. Sheridan, a native of
Illinois. Five children have been born into this ideal home, all of whom are as
devoted to their father as he is to everything that pertains to their welfare.
The children are Berton Leo, Gertrude E., Mable E.,
Margaret and May. Berton Leo is a very popular young
man and is identified with the Elks, Eagles, Red Men, Woodmen of the World, Modern
Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Native Sons of the
Golden West. His father is a member of Mount Hamilton Lodge, A. O. U. W., of
which he is past master; a charter member and past protector of the Knights and
Ladies of Honor; and a member of the Foresters of America, in which he has
served officially. Mr. Ward carried the funeral directing business to an
artistic and scientific plane of excellence, investing his calling with tact and
discrimination. His courtesy and thoughtfulness under these circumstances have
endeared him to hundreds of households throughout the town and county, and in
many instances his patronage from the same people has continued for years. His
integrity and fairness have ever met with deserved appreciation, and he has
been and still is one of the city’s most enterprising and thoroughly honored
citizens.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1283-1284. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.