San Francisco County
DR. JAMES WILLIAM WARD
DR. JAMES WILLIAM WARD, one of the prominent representatives of the medical profession in San Francisco, is a native of Minnesota, born at Minneapolis, March 14, 1861, parents being William E. and Elvira J. (Canney) Ward. The wards are of English ancestry and the founders of the family on this continent originally settled in Nova Scotia, whence they removed to New England.
William E. Ward, the father of our subject, was born in Calais, Maine, and after arriving at maturity entered a mechanic’s life. Thence he moved to Minnesota, the then far northwest, and was one of the pioneers of Minneapolis, which prosperous city of to day was at that time a small collection of Indian huts. He became a contractor, and erected many of the first and best buildings of the early days in Minneapolis, as well as some of the pretentious structures yet in existence. He built the first hotel in the city, -- the noted Nicollet House. He was also interested in other lines of industry, and was for years associated with one of the enterprising members of the prominent Washburn family in lumber manufacturing. On account of his health he came to California in 1870, locating in the Willows, near San Jose, where he is the proprietor of the well-known W. E. Ward’s fruit-drying establishment, and is known as a prominent, public-spirited citizen of Santa Clara county. While a resident of Minneapolis, he was married to Miss Elvira J. Canney, a native of New Durham, New Hampshire, a descendant of one of the old families of New England, and a daughter of one of the first settlers of Minneapolis. Two children were born to this union, the elder, Forest S., being a resident of Santa Clara county, where he is in business with his father; while the younger, J. W., is the subject of this sketch.
Dr, J. W. Ward was reared in Minneapolis, and commenced his education in the public schools of that city continuing, after the removal of the family to California, in the city schools of San Jose, and was graduated at the high school there in 1878, with the honors of his class, which he had won by earnest effort. Having always had in view a career in the medical profession, his next step was to take a year of advance study as a preliminary to medical reading, and he devoted that time, under a tutor, largely to classics and researches in physics. He then commenced regular study in the profession under Dr. F. E. J. Cenney, of San Francisco, with whom he remained two years and a half, engaged in office study and clinical observation with his preceptor. During this time he devoted considerable thought to the selection of medical college where he should win his degree, and decided upon the New York Homeopathic Medical College as the one with which he would cast his lot. It was the first homeopathic college to require a three-year graded course; and, feeling that he was sufficiently advanced in his studies to warrant such a request, he wrote to Professor John W. Dowling, Dean of the college, asking that official if he would be allowed to take the three-year course in two years, provided he should pass a suitable examination. The institution had seldom had a California student, and Professor Dowling wrote that he would be allowed his request on the condition named. Going to New York, he passed the requisite examinations, and not only succeeded in completing the course in two years but also carried off the honors of his class. The class of 1883 was a typical one, composed, as it was, mostly of graduates of Yale, Bowdoin, Amherst, Cornell and other leading American colleges and universities, and many of its members have since obtained eminence in the profession, holding professorships of colleges, etc. This made his leadership among them all the more creditable. In this connection an extract from the New York Tribune’s mention of the commencement will be in place, and follows herewith:
“The New York Homeopathic Medical College held its annual commencement in Chickering Hall last night. There were forty-seven graduates who received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The hall was filled with friends of the institution and of the graduates. Professor T. F. Allen, Dean of the college, presided, and on the platform with him sat the Rev. Dr. Hastings, of the Union Theological Seminary, Edward Dwight, Vice-President of the Board of Trustees, and the following members of the faculty: Professor R. H. Lyon, and Doctors E. M. Kellogg, T. F. Allen, S. F. Bradford, J. W. Dowling, C. T. Liebold, W. O. McDonald, S. P. Burdick, Malcolm Leal, Martin Deschere, Henry C. Houghton, P. E. Arcularius, Walter Y. Cowl, E. V. Moffatt, C. W. Cornell, W. W. Blackman and C. S. Elebash. In the audience were ex-Congressman R. P. Flower, Dr. S. H. Talcott, of the Middletown Insane Asylum; and Dr. W. G. Hartley.
“The degrees were conferred by Edward Dwight, in the absence of Park Commissioner Wales, the president of the Board of Trustees. Three prizes were presented by Professor Bradford, the secretary of the faculty. The first was an office case of medicines, valued at $150; it was awarded to J. W. Ward, of San Jose, California.”
The San Jose Mercury, in referring to the above, said:
“The New York Tribune, March 16, contains an extended report of the commencement exercises of the New York Homeopathic Medical College. There were forty-eight in the graduating class, and San Joseans will take pleasure in knowing that J. W. Ward of this city, a son of Supervisor W. E. Ward, stood at the head of the class, and was awarded the first prize,--an office case of medicines valued at $150. He was also awarded by one of the college societies, for the best clinical reports, a set of surgical instruments.”
“Professor Henry C. Houghton presented him with an ear case for the best thesis on clinical otology. Besides these testimonials of merit he was awarded an additional prize by the A. L. Chetterton Publishing Company, ‘for,’ as the donors stated, ‘the greatest ability in the line of study indicated by the title of our journal, The Home Journal of Obstetrics.’
After graduation Dr. Ward entered the competitive examinations for appointments on the medical staff of Ward’s Island Homeopathic Hospital. There were to be one senior and two junior appointments made, the one passing the best examinations to have the best position on the staff, and this was won by Dr. Ward, a notice coming to him in the following terms:
“New York, March 22, 1883.
“Dear Doctor:
“Notice has just reached us of your appointment on house staff of Home. Hospital on Ward’s Island.
“You will please call on Dr. Hills, 465 Fifth avenue for the official notice.
“Yours very truly,
“Charles A. Bacon, M. D.,
“Chairman Com. Of Exam.”
“You will report for duty April 1. The appointments are J. W. Ward, A. L. Root, D. P. Maddux, A. J. Bond.”
He
had not been long in this position when a competitive examination was held for
the position of Resident Physician of the Hahnemann hospital of the city of New
York, for which many competed, and Dr. Ward was again successful, and received
the appointment. This gave him entire
charge of the institution, and afforded him the very best facilities for
observations in gynecology, with which branch of medical science he wished
especially to familiarize himself. While
there, and only a year after his graduation, he received a call to the faculty
of his alma mater in the following terms:
“New York Homeopathic Medical College,
“New
York, May 16, 1884.
“James W. Ward, M. D.,
“Dear Doctor:--It gives me great pleasure
to notify you of your appointment as Assistant to the Chair of Physiology in
the New York Homeopathic Medical College.
“You
will lecture Monday and Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m., next term.
“Very
sincerely yours,
“Edgar V. Moffatt, Secy.”
Dr.
Ward’s other duties, and plans already formed, compelled his declination of the
proffered honors. He would have taken
the chair in a few months, which was the object of the appointment. He remained in charge of the Hahnemann
Hospital for two years, and made many noteworthy innovations and
improvements. He opened two new wards,
equipped the operating room with a full line of surgical instruments and
conveniences, carried system into all the departments, and in general left his
impress indelibly upon the institution.
He resigned the position in the spring of 1885, in order to return to
the Pacific coast, and when it was found that he was determined in this
intention he received notice of the acceptance of his resignation as follows:
“170
Broadway, March 16, 1885.
“James W. Ward, M. D., Res.
Phys., etc.,
“My Dear Sir:--Upon the report of the
committee that your resignation of January 17 last, to take effect April 1
next, was final, the same was accepted at the last meeting of the Board to take
effect as stated, and the Secretary was requested to notify you of their action
of the Board, and to express to you the confidence in your medicinal abilities
and high appreciation of your zeal and faithful services as Resident Physician,
which I now do, hoping you will pardon my delay in not writing sooner. With my last best wishes personally, I
remain,
“Truly
yours,
“R.
H. Lyon, Secretary.”
His
departure occasioned severe regret on the part of all having an interest in the
welfare of the institution, upon leaving which he went to San Francisco. While yet on duty in New York he had been
elected to the Chair of Physiology in the Hahnemann Medical College of this
city, and he accepted the position largely as an introduction to the profession
in San Francisco. He filled that chair
and lectured on physiology in the sessions of 1885-86. In the latter year the Chair of Gynecology
became vacant, and during 1886 he also filled that chair. He delivered three courses of lectures after
that on gynecology, and resigned in 1889 on account of the encroachments of his
private practice. During the years
mentioned he was also a trustee of the college, but resigned it at the same
time. Dr. Ward is a member of the
American Institute of Homeopathy, and of the California State Homeopathic
Medical Society, of which he has been one of the Board of Examiners.
Dr.
Ward was married in New York city, December 31, 1884. The issue of the marriage is two
children. The family are associated with
the First United Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Ward is one of the brightest examples of rapid rise and progress in
the profession and science of medicine and surgery. As a surgeon he has performed many rare
capital operations. The marked success
of his practice has received the most signal recognition in the profession and
among the people, and the numerical extent of his clientage is limited only by
the physical endurance of the Doctor in attending to the demand upon his
services. The promises of a noble career
in the profession so amply given by his success in college, have been more than
fulfilled in his case, even at their early day.
Notwithstanding this fact, however, Dr. Ward is self-contained and
unassuming in manner, adding to his professional qualifications the social
qualities of the refined gentleman, and it may be said that he is one of the
most popular men in or out of the profession.
Transcribed by Joyce
and David Rugeroni.
Source: “The Bay of
San Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 361-364, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Joyce & David
Rugeroni.