NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The year 1902 marks the advent of Richard P. WARD in Dover. He is an energetic businessman of the younger generation and he conducts an up-to-date electrical supply house. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, 1876, son of Christopher P. and Ann Elizabeth (ROBERTS) WARD, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Delaware. The father located in the Keystone commonwealth in young manhood and there he engaged in diversified agriculture and stock raising for many years prior to his demise, 1886. He was a devout Methodist in religious faith, and his wife was an Episcopalian. To them were born the following children:

• Emily, wife of George T. ALFREY;
• Louis R., resident of Cherry Hill, Maryland;
• Margaret V., married Cornelius K. CAMPBELL;
• Anna R., widow of Rea CAMPBELL;
• Alexander S.;
• Lydia B., widow of George T. KECK;
• Mary L., married William V. SMYTH;
• Ella P., wife of William H. MORFORD;
• Charles E.;
• Richard P., subject of this brief sketch;
• George W.

The mother of the foregoing children died in 1912.

After completing the prescribed course in the common schools of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill, Maryland, Richard P. WARD was a student in the Elkton Academy of Maryland for three terms. He then returned home and assisted his father and brothers in the work and management of the home farm until after he reached his legal majority. In his twenty-second year he began to learn the trade of electrician and he was engaged in that line of work at different places until February, 1902, when he came to Dover and here engaged in business as an electrical contractor, at the same time opening an electrical supply house that caters mostly to the retail trade. During the last decade his business has grown to extensive proportions and he requires the aid of eight assistants. Although enrolled as a Democrat he usually votes for the man and not the party. He is affiliated with the R. A. and in the time-honored Masonic order has passed through the circle of the Scottish Rite branch, being a member of the F. and A. M., the Lodge of Perfection, Chapter, Consistory, and the A.A.O.N.M.S. In religious matters he and his wife are devout Episcopalians.

June 10, 1901, Mr. WARD married Adelaide R. MARTIN, a native of Boonton, New Jersey, daughter of Freeman and Victoria A. (STEVENTON) MARTIN. Mr. MARTIN was a Civil War veteran serving in a New York cavalry regiment for three years, receiving his discharge on account of sickness; a cooper by trade; he and his wife are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. WARD have four children:

• Richard P. Jr.,
• Adelaide Ruth,
• Bertrand M.,
• Frederick C.

The Ward family are ensconced in a beautiful home in Dover, and Mr. and Mrs. WARD are both popular and highly esteemed citizens.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).

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