Sebastian Gilbert Ward

Sebastian Gilbert Ward

• Father: William W. Ward b. 20 December 1832, d. 28 October 1898
• Mother: Partha E. Gilbert b. circa 1836, d. 22 July 1900

• Sebastian Gilbert Ward was born on 31 August 1862 in Homer, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.
• He was known as Bass.
• William W. Ward and Partha E. Gilbert appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Wadeville PO, Navarro County, Texas. Other members of the household included Sebastian Gilbert Ward, William J. Ward, Carrie Arlina Ward and Fannie Blanche Ward.
• William W. Ward and Partha E. Gilbert appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Navarro County, Texas. Other members of the household included Sebastian Gilbert Ward, Fannie Blanche Ward, William J. Ward, Carrie Arlina Ward, Lou Anna Ward and Levina Thorp. Also in the household were two grist mill laborers and a cook.
• He married Amantha Yudalda Stevenson, daughter of Frances (?), on 21 November 1883.
• Sebastian Gilbert Ward and Amantha Yudalda Stevenson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Freestone County, Texas. Other members of the household included Edward C. Ward, Elva Imogene Ward, Robert Conrad Ward, Sebastian Gilbert Ward Jr., Nellie Lucindy Ward, William Bain Ward, Pansy Elizabeth Ward and Frances (?)
• He was a farmer, according to the 1900 census.
• Sebastian Gilbert Ward and Amantha Yudalda Stevenson appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Navarro County, Texas. Other members of the household included Edward C. Ward, Sebastian Gilbert Ward Jr., Nellie Lucindy Ward, William Bain Ward, Pansy Elizabeth Ward and Cassie Lee Ward.
• He was a stock farmer, according to the 1910 census.
• Sebastian Gilbert Ward and Amantha Yudalda Stevenson appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Navarro County, Texas, at Ward's Bridge Road West. Other members of the household included Pansy Elizabeth Ward and Cassie Lee Ward.
• He was a stock farmer, according to the 1920 census.
• Sebastian Gilbert Ward died on 3 November 1925 at age 63 in Richland, Navarro County, Texas, . His death was officially witnessed by Sebastian Gilbert Ward Jr.
• His wife Amantha Yudalda Stevenson became a widow at his death.
• The following appeared on 4 November 1925 in The Corsicana Daily Sun: Funeral services for S. G. (Bass) Ward, aged 65 years, pioneer citizen of Richland who was found dead at his home Tuesday morning with a bullet wound in his head, will be held sometime Friday with interment in the Richland cemetery.
       The deceased is survived by his wife and eight children.
• The following appeared on 4 November 1925 in The Corsicana Daily Sun: (Richland, Nov. 4) All of Richland is in the deepest sorrow over the untimely death of Mr. J. G. Ward, one of the oldest and most beloved citizens of Richland. Mr. Ward had been in bad health for the past few months. On Tuesday at 7:30 a. m. his family was shocked on hearing the report of a pistol shot. To their surprised horror they found him dying.
       Mr. Ward was loved by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife and eight children to mourn his death.
       He has four sons and four daughters. Mrs. C. T. Gilbert, Streetman; Edd and Conrad Ward of Streetman; Mrs. Nellie Swink, Mrs. G. W. Abbington and W. B. Ward of Richland; Mrs. A. H. Richardson of Cisco and S. G. Ward of Corsicana.
       All of Richland are extending their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family Funeral services have not yet been arranged, but will take place the latter part of the week.
• The following appeared on 20 November 1925 in The Corsicana Daily Sun: The State of Texas, County of Navarro.
       Be It Remembered. That the Board of Commissioners of the town of Richland, Texas, met in regular session on the 9th day of November, A. D. 1925, with John P. McCrary, Mayor, and W. C. Pearce and G. J. Elkins, Commissioners, present, when and where the following resolution was offered and unanimously adopted:
       Sebastian Gilbert Ward was born at Homer, State of Louisiana, on August 31, 1862, and came with his parents to Texas in 1870, settling at Old Cade, in Navarro county. He died in the town of Richland, on the 12th day of October, A. D. 1925 [sic], aged 63 years, he grew to manhood's estate in the vicinity of Cade, and on Nov. 21, 1883, wedded Miss Amantha Y. Stevenson. To this union there were born the following children, who with his widow, Mrs. Amantha Y. Ward, survive him: E. C. Ward, R. C. Ward, and Mrs. Elva I. Gilbert, Streetman, Texas; S. G. Ward, Corsicana, Texas; Mrs. Nellie L. Swink, W. B. Ward and Mrs. Cassie Abington, Richland, Texas, and Mrs. Pansy Richardson of Cisco, Texas.
       For many years Mr. Ward was engaged in stock raising and in agriculture. In 1900 he moved with is family on his ranch, near Richland, where he lived until 1917, when he moved into the town of Richland and from that time until his death, was closely identified with the life and progress of the town.
       He was for several years connected with the First State Bank of Richland and the First State Bank of Streetman, and later he helped to organize the first National Bank of Richland, in which he was a stockholder and director.
       He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and originally had his membership in that order at Birdston, this county.
       In the first election to incorporate the town of Richland, he was chosen as the Mayor, but the election to incorporate having failed to carry, he did not serve as such. In 1923 he was elected as one of the Commissioners of the town of Richland, and served for one term. As such he took an active part in all matters pertaining to the town and really aided the incorporation when it needed support. For fifty-five years he lived in the vicinity of Richland, reared his family accumulated an estate, and was honored, loved and respected by all who knew him. Truly it may be said that he was a good man. And
       Whereas, The Board of Commissioners of the town of Richland desires to honor the memory and pay tribute to his life and character and services and place on record a lasting record thereof. Now therefore be it
       Resolved By the Board of Commissioners that it is the sense of this Board:
       First, That in the death of Mr. Ward, Texas has lost a good citizen, whose loyalty and devotion never faltered and who in his quiet and unpretentious way, did his share in the progress and development of his state and in the happiness of those around him.
       Second. That the town of Richland has lost a good and useful citizen who was ever zealous for it, its people and its progress, and
       Third. That this testimonial of his life, services, and usefulness be entered upon the minutes of the town for a lasting record, and that a copy thereof be furnished to his bereaved family, and one copy furnished the press of Navarro county.
       Done in regular session, this the 9th day of November, A. D. 1925.
       J. P. McCrary, Mayor. W. C. Pearce, Commissioner. G. J. Elkins, Commissioner. Attest: A. N. Brown, Jr., Clerk.

• Last Edited: 1 Sep 2016