Woodford A. Ward

WOODFORD A. WARD, M. D. The medical profession of Cherokee County will compare favorably with that of any other county in the State. In it are a number of practitioners who have established reputations for skill in particular lines which are of State-wide publicity. At Hallowell the biographer found in the gentleman mentioned above a young physician whose success in the treatment of the respiratory organs, and notably of the dreaded disease of consumption, has been of such a character as to attract attention all over the West. Dr. Ward was reared in the county. but is a native of Indiana, having been born in La Grange Center, La Grange County, September 1, 1861.

In his early childhood the subject of this sketch accompanied his parents to Nebraska, where they resided about two years in Richardson County, and thence went to Andrew County, Missouri. In May, 1873, the family settled in Cherokee County, Kansas, where Dr. Ward received the greater part of his boyhood's mental training in the common schools of Sherman City. The earlier portion of his young manhood was spent in travel. He learned the paper-hanger's trade, and being apt at other occupations did not find it difficult to get work wherever he might be. This fact, together with a desire to see the world, led him to take a trip over the Pacific Coast region. He was gone about six years, covering the entire coast to British Columbia, and many of the Rocky Mountain States. Upon his return he conceived the idea of becoming a physician. He was, however, without money to pursue a course of training. Nothing daunted, he began saving his earnings, and in 1887 was able to enter the Northwestern Medical College at St. Joseph, Missouri, and took his degree of M. D. in that institution in 1890.

Selecting as a field for practice the home of his youth, Dr. Ward came to Hallowell, where he has had a most marvelous success, and has built up a practice limited only by his physical power to give it attention. He was early attracted to the pathology of the respiratory organs, in view of the alarming prevalence of consumption, and his researches in this direction have been such as to bring him great success in the treatment of the dread disease. He has a record of having cured 75 out of 100 cases he has had under treatment, and so great is his fame that patients come to him from all parts of the West. For the treatment of disease, Dr. Ward's office is finely equipped with all the latest discoveries known to medical science,—galvanic batteries, an X-ray machine, ozone, etc.

Our subject's brother, Dr. William H. Ward, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, January 27, 1828. His people were of English descent, coming to Pennsylvania in early colonial days. He was a graduate of the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Harbor and practiced at different points in Ohio and the West, notably in Andrew County, Missouri. He spent some time in California in the gold fields when a young man, going overland and returning by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He suffered death by burning while on a trip to Oregon. May 27, 1903. His wife was Parmelia A. Randolph, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, who survives him at the age of 66 years. Their family consisted of four children, as follows: John, the eldest, who is deceased; Woodford A.; William H., who resides in Hallowell; and Nellie, who is deceased.

Dr. Ward is living with his second wife. Her maiden name was Madge G. Oglesby and she is a native of Missouri. His first wife was Eva L. Hazelton, a native of Illinois, and their marriage took place July 13, 1892. She died April 28, 19O1, at 29 years of age, leaving a little son,—Don Carlos.

A courteous and agreeable gentleman, an astute and studious student of his profession, and a high minded Christian citizen, Dr. Ward holds the respect and esteem of the whole country about Hallowell, and wherever he is known throughout Cherokee County.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/11/97.