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Biography/History:
Dr. Benjamin F. Ward
Benjamin F. Ward was born in Abbeville County, South Carolina, on February 25, 1836. He was the seventh child of William F. and Martha Mecklin Ward. After the death of her husband, Martha Mecklin Ward moved her family to Choctaw County, Mississippi, in 1846. Benjamin F. Ward attended school in Choctaw County, and he later taught school in Carroll County, Mississippi, and began studying medicine privately. His first formal medical training was at the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University). Ward completed his medical training at the Atlanta Medical College, graduating in 1859. He returned to Carroll County and established a medical practice.
In 1861, Dr. Ward enlisted as a private in the Carroll Rifles, and a year later, he was appointed as a field surgeon. He was later appointed as a senior surgeon on the staff of General Joseph R. Davis. Dr. Ward served in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia during the Civil War. He was chief surgeon during the battle of Gettysburg, and he was later captured and imprisoned for five months at Fort McHenry. Dr. Ward was exchanged as a prisoner of war, and he continued serving until the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox. After the war, Dr. Ward settled in Winona, Montgomery County, Mississippi, where he continued practicing medicine.
On June 3, 1868, Dr. Ward married Tennessee native Mary H. Hardeman, who was raised in the home of an uncle in Grenada County, Mississippi. The Wards were the parents of seven children: Annie Bruce (b. June 7, 1873), Thomas Hardeman (b. September 26, 1875), William Constant (b. 1877), Mary (b. July 23, 1879), Maggie (b. September 3, 1882), Benjamin F., Jr. (b. October 11, 1880), and Melzana, who later married Henry Heart. Dr. Ward was president of the Mississippi State Medical Association between 1881 and 1882. He served as a member of the Mississippi State Board of Health for six years beginning in 1886. Dr. Ward was president of the Mississippi State Board of Health from 1903 to 1905. He was also a member of the American Medical Association. For many years, Dr. Ward served as chief surgeon of the United Confederate Veterans of Mississippi. Dr. Ward died in Winona at the home of his son-in-law, Henry Heart, on August 26, 1920. He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona.
Benjamin F. Ward, Jr.
Benjamin F. Ward, Jr., was born in Winona, Montgomery County, Mississippi, on October 11, 1880. He was a legislative page who later served two terms as sergeant-at-arms of the Mississippi legislature. Ward moved to Washington, D.C., in 1902 to work for United States congressman W. S. Hill. In November of 1907, Ward and his business partner, George Williams, purchased the Winona Times. Ward had sold his newspaper interest to Williams by April of 1908. However, he remained active in business and politics until his death of tuberculosis at the age of thirty-two on March 28, 1912. Ward was interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Winona.
Scope and Content:
This accretion consists of photographs, correspondence, and printed materials of the Ward, Heart, and allied families of Winona, Montgomery County, Mississippi.
The photographs include annotated and unidentified images, photocopies of images, an annotated charcoal drawing, postcards, and printed images. The subjects of the identified photographs and photocopies of photographs are numerous members of the Ward and Heart families, including Dr. Benjamin F. Ward, Benjamin F. Ward, Jr., and Mary Ward. There are also several identified photographs of Ward and Heart family friends. Of interest are two photographs that were taken at the funeral of Dr. Benjamin F. Ward in 1920 and an annotated charcoal drawing of Dr. William Wesley Heart, the father of Henry Heart. The postcard images are of the Money family home and the Presbyterian church in Winona. The printed images are of a Christmas card with a family photograph and two magazine illustrations.
The correspondence includes photocopies of letters, poetry, and a travel-expense report from members of the Ward and Heart families. There are three letters to Melzana Ward Heart from the Bank of Winona, the Columbus and Greenville Railway Company, and the First Presbyterian Church of Camden, Arkansas, regarding the death of her husband, Henry. Four letters contain genealogical information on the Ward and Heart families. The poetry consists of manuscript copies and photocopies of typescripts of verse written by Dr. Benjamin F. Ward and a poem honoring Dr. Ward that was received from a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. There is a photocopy of a February 18, 1896, travel-expense report of Benjamin F. Ward, Jr., which is written on Mississippi Railroad Commission letterhead.
The printed materials consist of photocopies of newsclippings and an obituary card. Among the newsclippings are articles and poetry written by Dr. Benjamin F. Ward, a wedding announcement for Melzana Ward and Henry Heart, and articles about Heart family reunions. The July 9, 1907, obituary card concerns Mary Hardeman Ward.
Series Identification:
Box 1, folders 1-12 and 14
Box 2, folders 1-3Box 3, folders 1-3Box 1, folder 13
Box 1, folders 15-17
Box 3, folder 4Box List: