WARD, William
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 685-686

William WARD, a popular conductor on the Madison division of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, has been connected with that corporation for a quarter 
of a century. He was born in Freehold [Monmouth County], NJ, 06 Jan 1858, a 
son of Michael and Bridget (BREHANY) WARD, natives of Ireland. Having lost 
his parents during his boyhood, Michael WARD came to the U. S. in early life 
and located in Monmouth County, NJ, where he made his home until Apr 1873. 
He then came to Footville [Rock County], WI, where he lived upon a farm until 
called from this life on 05 Apr 1899, at the age of 62 years. His wife died 
on 27 Jul 1895, at the age of 57 years, and both were laid to rest in St. 
Joseph's cemetery at Janesville [Rock County], WI. They were devout members 
of the Catholic church. The maternal grandfather of our subject died in 
Ireland, but his wife, Mrs. Mary BREHANY, came to this country and died in 
Footville [Rock County], WI, 02 Dec 1890, at the age of 82 years.

William Ward, the subject of this sketch, is indebted to the public schools 
of Marlboro [probably Marlboro in Monmouth County, not Marlboro in Burlington 
or Cumberland County], NJ, for his educational privileges. In 1873 he came 
with his parents to WI, and soon afterward began work for the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, as water boy, and served as brakeman 
for that company for one year, after which he entered the employ of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He steadily worked his way upward 
until in 1880 he was promoted to conductor, and now has charge of freight 
trains on the Madison division of the Northwestern Railroad, running between 
Baraboo [Sauk County, WI] and Winona [Winona County, MN]. During his entire 
railroad career he has never met with an accident or injury, and is today one 
of the most trusted employees of the company.

On 06 Feb 1882 Mr. WARD was united in marriage with Miss Katie PETTED, who 
was born in Newtown [Fairfield County], CT, and came with her parents, 
Michael and Mary PEDDED, to Sauk County, WI, locating in Fairfield Township. 
The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Baraboo [Sauk County, WI] 
on 16 Oct 1896, aged 68 years, and his wife died on 03 Dec 1893 aged 65 
years. They were born in Ireland, but were reared in CT. To Mr. and Mrs. 
WARD have been born four children: Mamie, Cassie, Willie and John. The 
family are connected with St. Joseph's Catholic church, of Baraboo, and Mrs. 
WARD is now treasurer of the Ladies' Sodality.

In 1898 Mr. WARD built a pleasant residence on Second Street, Baraboo, which 
is [p 686] an ornament to that part of the city, and there the family now 
reside. He is a charter member of Baraboo Division, O. R. C., in which he 
has filled all the principal offices, and is a Democrat in political 
sentiment. Although he takes a deep interest in all public questions, he has 
little time or inclination for their agitation. 

Contributed by Cathy Kubly