"Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory", Vol. I, Choctaws and Chickasaws By H. F. O'Beirne published 1891. page 114 [a photo of Henry P. and a photo of Mrs. Ward accompany the bio] HENRY P. WARD The subject of this sketch was born in March, 1856, at Springtown, Parker county, Texas, being the fourth son of Joseph Ward, of Patterson, New Jersey, a coach-maker by trade, who emigrated to the Indian Territory in 1845, and married Miss Thompson of Doaksville, a member of the Wall and Folsom families. Henry Ward's father moved to Texas in 1855, and did not return until the close of the war, ten years afterward. During his stay in that State he was appointed Captain of the Texas Rangers, and four years guarded the frontier settlements. In 1865 he moved to Blue County, Choctaw Nation, and in five years afterward to Atoka County, settling close to Limestone Gap, where he died in the fall of 1872. Henry recieved most of his education at home, and remained in charge of his mother's affairs after his father's death until his marriage in the summer of 1875, to Miss Mary Dysart, second daughter of James A. Dysart, of Springfield, Mo. Miss Dysart was a young lady of many virtues, and as a wife and mother is of the kind to be loved and respected. In the neighborhood of Limestone Gap Henry commenced agriculture, and in 1882 purchased an additional farm west of Kiowa, where he now resides, surrounded by all the home comforts obtainable through years of energetic industry. He has some two hundred and fifty acres under cultivation, two hundred and seventy-five head of cattle, as well as one-fourth interest in a large coal claim. The first important office held by Mr. Ward was that of Representative of Atoka county in 1888. In 1889 he was appointed by Governor Smallwood to fill an expired term in the Senate for the same county, and gave the greatest satisfaction on both occasions, which was proved by the large majority by which he was elected to the office of County Judge in August 1890, and which office he now holds. In 1885 he joined the Methodist church South, and in 1889 was chosen superintendent of Sunday Schools at Little Boggy. He is a most devoted Christian at home and abroad, on week days as well as on the Sabbath, and is very justly esteemed and beloved by all who know him. Out of ten children born to the family but six have survived---Ella M., Ethel M., Leo Oliver, Louisa E., William David and Eddie. Mrs. Ward is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, though she has never endeavored to establish her claims. -------------- Nalora