Ralph D. Ward Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: Photo 2155-Photo Folio 52
Scope and Contents
This collection contains 20 photographs of the Ward families (Ralph and William Oscar), cowboys, and harvest scenes. There is one oversize photograph, measuring 33 x 40 cm. of the Bismarck Hose Cart Team
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1875-1960
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives
Biography
Ralph David Ward was born March 30, 1873 at Owego colony, Dakota Territory, to William Oscar and Florence (Manley) Ward. W. Ward later became a prosperous rancher near Bismarck and served in the 1891 state legislature. R.D. Ward's first teacher was the well-known Linda Slaughter, and after graduating from Bismarck High School in 1891, he enrolled at the North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo. He was in its first graduating class in 1895. In 1896, at Fort Stevenson in McLean County he began raising horses and the next year went to Douglas Creek near Garrison, N.D. where he raised cattle and horses. In 1916 he established his Graham's Island Ranch near Devils Lake and also was a partner with his father-inlaw, R.N. Stevens, in the 101 Stock Farm at Minnewaukan, North Dakota.
From 1909 to 1916 Mr. Ward was a partner with Edward Power in the Power and Ward Livery, Feed and Sale Stable at Plaza, North Dakota. He was also a director of the First State Bank at Bowbells, a vice president of the First National Bank at Garrison, president of the Dakota Livestock and Casualty Insurance Company of Bismarck, and president of the Savoy Lumber Company of Savoy, Montana. On January 31, 1911, Mr. Ward married Emma Jane Stevens at Bismarck. She was born July 13, 1884 in Illinois but came to the Lisbon area when young. She was the daughter of Reuben N. Stevens who was a lawyer, member of the Constitutional Convention, North Dakota State Representative in 1889 from Lisbon, and in 1899 from Bismarck, editor of the Bismarck Tribune, U.S. Commissioner in Alaska, and assistant U.S. Attorney General. The Wards had three children, Imogene, Steve, and Claire. Mr. Ward died November 29, 1951 in Alabama and was buried in Bismarck. Mrs. Ward died September 10, 1975.
Mr. Ward was a Republican, a delegate to the National Convention at Cleveland in 1924, and chairman of the Progressive Republicans in 1916. He belonged to the Masons of Bismarck, and to the El Zagal Shrine of Fargo. He was also a director of the North Dakota Taxpayers Association and in the North Dakota National Guard.
From 1909 to 1916 Mr. Ward was a partner with Edward Power in the Power and Ward Livery, Feed and Sale Stable at Plaza, North Dakota. He was also a director of the First State Bank at Bowbells, a vice president of the First National Bank at Garrison, president of the Dakota Livestock and Casualty Insurance Company of Bismarck, and president of the Savoy Lumber Company of Savoy, Montana. On January 31, 1911, Mr. Ward married Emma Jane Stevens at Bismarck. She was born July 13, 1884 in Illinois but came to the Lisbon area when young. She was the daughter of Reuben N. Stevens who was a lawyer, member of the Constitutional Convention, North Dakota State Representative in 1889 from Lisbon, and in 1899 from Bismarck, editor of the Bismarck Tribune, U.S. Commissioner in Alaska, and assistant U.S. Attorney General. The Wards had three children, Imogene, Steve, and Claire. Mr. Ward died November 29, 1951 in Alabama and was buried in Bismarck. Mrs. Ward died September 10, 1975.
Mr. Ward was a Republican, a delegate to the National Convention at Cleveland in 1924, and chairman of the Progressive Republicans in 1916. He belonged to the Masons of Bismarck, and to the El Zagal Shrine of Fargo. He was also a director of the North Dakota Taxpayers Association and in the North Dakota National Guard.
Extent
21 Items (21 photographic prints)
Language of Materials
English
Overview
This collection contains twenty photographs of the Ward families (Ralph and William Oscar), cowboys, and harvest scenes.
Provenance
Donated by Clair Ward Engelhardt, 1955 and Steve Ward, 1956 1960 (Acc. 354).
Property Rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Ralph D. Ward Photograph Collection
- Description rules
- Appm
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu