| Notes |
- Per family history written by son, Martin Luther Ward, Jr., “Mr. Ward Sr. practiced law in Iowa until 1887, when he came to Southern California with his wife, two children, two horses and his household goods, where he continued the practice of his profession until his death in 1930.
1900 Census, National Township, San Diego County, California:
Ward, Martin L.; head; Mar 1850; 50 years old; married for 19 years; born in Ohio; father born in Pennsylvania; mother born in Massachusetts; occupation: lawyer; owned his own home, which was fully paid off.
Ella B.; wife; Jan 1857; 43 years old; mother of 5 children, four still living; born in Iowa; father born in Pennsylvania; mother born in Indiana.
John; son; Nov 1883; 16 years old; born in Iowa; father born in Ohio; mother born in Iowa.
Paul P.; son; Mar 1888; 12 years old; born in California; father born in Ohio; mother born in Iowa.
Martha C.; daughter; Apr 1886; 14 years old; born in Iowa; father born in Ohio; mother born in Iowa.
Martin L.; son; Sept 1890; 9 years old; born in California; father born in Ohio; mother born in Iowa.
1920 Census, San Diego County, California;
Martin L. Ward, born in Ohio, owns his home, age 69, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Maine;
Ella B., wife, 62, born in Iowa, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Indiana
Martin L. Jr., 29, single, born in California
1930 Census, 1030 23rd Street, San Diego, San Diego, California:
Ward, Martin L., head, age 80, lawyer;
Ella B., his wife, age 73;
Paul, his son, age 42, divorced, a tax appraiser.
From San Diego County, California. A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement. Chicago, S. J. Clarke, 1913:
“MARTIN LUTHER WARD.
“The legal profession and indeed everything connected with the politcal, social and educational interests of San Diego finds a worthy representative in Martin Luther Ward, attorney and man of affairs. His success, great in itself is the more creditable to him since it has come as the result of his own efforts and has been accomplished in spite of obstacles and reverses. He was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 12, 1850, and is a son of Philip and Martha (Chanay) Ward, both of old New England stock. The mother of our subject is a lineal descendant of John and Priscilla Alden, who came from England on the Mayflower. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Ward moved from Athens county, Ohio to Green county, Wisconsin, where he enlisted in the Federal army as a volunteer and later died.
“When Martin L. Ward was twelve years of age his father met with business reverses and the family fortunes were entirely swept away, so that he was obliged to earn his own livelihood and to contribute to the support of his younger brothers and sisters. His first position was that of a laborer upon a farm and the salary which he received was five dollars per month. He worked in this capacity for a number of years, winning slow advancement. His ambition, however, lay beyond the drudgery of farm life and he took up the surest means of bettering his condition in acquiring a liberal education. This was not easily done, however, for the money had to be earned for tuition, but his resolute energy and well directed perseverance acccomplished the task and in the fall of 1867 he entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and was graduated in 1873. Immediately afterward he began teaching in the College for the Blind, at Vinton, Iowa, and there remained for four years. In the following year he began the practice of his profession at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was so rapidly successful that in 1886 he was elected county attorney of Linn county. In the following year, he resigned his office to come to San Diego county. He took up his residence at Chula Vista, near San Diego, and soon built up a profitable practice in San Diego. He gained recognition as a strong and able lawyer, well versed in the underlying principles of his profession and accurate in his application of them and he made rapid advancement to a high place in legal circles of the section. His office is in the Granger building and he is engaged in a private practice which has grown steadily as his ability and legal attainments have become more widely known. In addition to this he serves as attorney for three San Diego banks and has been unusually successful in caring for and conserving their interests.
“Mr. Ward married in Vinton, Iowa, in 1881, Miss Ella B. McCartney, the eldest daughter of the Hon. John McCartney, of that city. They became the parents of five children: Anna Lita, who died at the age of nine months; John, Martha C., Paul P.., and Martin Luther, Jr. The family are well known in social circles of San Diego, and Mr. Ward holds membership in Southwest Lodge, No. 283, F. & A. M., of National City, California. He is interested in the cause of education and as president of the board of trustees of the State Normal School is doing all in his power to promote its spread. He is trustee of the First Congregational Church of San Diego.
“Legal success carries with it as a general thing prominence in politics and Mr. Ward has expanded his interests gradually to include activity in the public life of his section. His first office in San Diego was along the lines of his profession. In 1892 he was elected district attorney of the county and held that office for two years. From 1903 to 1907 he served as state senator from southern California, standing always for right, justice and progress and supporting many measures for the general welfare. His public life has been distinguished by the same shrewdness, ability and power of impartial judgment which have been important factors in his legal success and which as qualities in his character have made him respected and esteemed wherever hs is known.”
From City of San Diego and San Diego County:
“MARTIN LUTHER WARD. There is no profession in which the admonition to “make haste slowly” can be more advantageously followed than in that of the law. It will be found that the great national figures, most of whom have had a legal training, and those who have acquired eminence solely in the law, have been men of the most thorough preparation. However great their native talents, the unformed fledgings are not reaching the high posts of honor today, only those whose education and training have enabled them to survey a broad field of knowledge before their entrance upon the activities of their career. In these days a thorough and broad education is recognized as being one of the essentials to honorable elevation in any of the professions or walks of life. Martin Luther Ward, senior member of the firm of Ward, Ward & Ward, attorneys of San Diego, is a typical modern lawyer, who has laid a broad foundation for continuous personal development and professional progress. He was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 12, 1850.
“The parents of Mr. Ward were Philip and Martha (Chaney) Ward, the former of whom was born and reared near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Quaker parentage, and the latter near Bangor, Maine, a lineal descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of historic fame. When Martin Luther Ward was still a child the family moved to Green County, Wisconsin, and there he attended the public school and later became a student of Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1873 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thereafter, in 1875, he received from the same institution the degree of Master of Arts.
“Prior to taking his collegiate courses Mr. Ward taught school in Green County, Wisconsin, and he was also an instructor in the College for the Blind of the State of Iowa, at Vinton, and it was while there that he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1876. From 1877 until 1887 Mr. Ward was engaged in a successful practice at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and in 1886 was elected county attorney, but resigned the office in 1887 and moved to San Diego, California, where he has since been in active practice. Since coming to this city he has been exceptionally prominent, in 1892 being elected district attorney of San Diego County, and holding that office for one term, which expired in 1894. In 1903 he was elected state senator ffrom San Diego County, and held that office for four years. Since 1907 he has been president of the State Normal School of San Diego. Since 1915 he has been a director of the Peoples State Bank of Chula Vista, California, of which his firm have been the attorneys, and they are also attorneys for the Merchants National Bank of San Diego, as well as carrying on a large and very lucrative practice.
“Mr. Ward is very prominent in Masonry, having filled all of the offices in the Masonic Lodge up to that of worshipful master; all offices in the Commandery up to and including eminent commander of San Diego Commandery No. 25, K. T. For many years he has been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the University Club, ex-president of the Iowa Society of San Diego, and belongs to the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of California. At present he is president of the Board of Trustees of the First Congregational Church of San Diego.
“On February 24, 1881, Mr. Ward married at Vinton, Iowa, Ella B. McCartney, a daughter of John McCartney, who was one of the pioneers of Vinton, Iowa, where his daughter was born. He later was probate judge of Vinton County, Iowa, and a member of the Iowa State Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have the following children: John McCartney Ward, who married Jessie Lash Smith, a daughter of Captain Mifflin Smith, a retired army officer; Martha Corinne Ward, who is the wife of Warner Edmonds, cashier of the Peoples State Bank, Chula Vista, California; Paul Philip Ward, who married Ruth Mittman; and Martin Luther Ward, Jr., who is unmarried.
“Since old enough to cast a vote Mr. Ward has been a republican, and has always been active in local politics. His interest in San Diego is sincere and constructive, and during the over thirty years he has resided in the city he has witnessed changes which are remarkable and has borne his part in those of most importance. As an attorney he ranks with the leading members of the bar of San Diego County; as a citizen he measures up to the best standards of true Americanism; and as a man he sets an example of upright probity and high living all would do well to emulate.”
From “A. H. Swet: Profile of High-Minded Gentleman” by Syn Love, Journal of San Diego History, Spring 1984:
“Martin Luther Ward was completing a four-year term as district ttorney when, on November 6, 1894, William Darby was elected to succeed him. Darby’s term would commence on January 7, 1895, when Ward’s expired and when a new county board of supervisors also was to be seated. But on December 15, 1894, Darby hanged himself.
The supervisors reasoned that because Darby had filed his bond for office, he had become an incumbent. Therefore his death created a vacancy. Ward filed for the position, turning in a petition with the required thirty names of qualified voters. On January 2, 1895, the board heard several petitions opposing the appointment of a district attorney before the term was to start. One opinion, prepared at the request of the Populist County Central Committee, was from attorney Harry S. Utley. It said “...how can (Mr. Darby) be officially dead before his term commences?”
Another petition noted that Ward’s present term was still in effect and quoted “lawyers” as saying: “No valid appointment can be made to an office in possession of an incumbent whose term has not yet expired.” Despite these arguments, the board named Ward by a 3-2 vote to succeed himself. Five days later, however, John Griffin and William Justice replaced two outgoing board members. Griffin promptly presented a petition pointing out that William Darby had been elected district attorney but had died and that a vacancy existed. Griffin called on the board to appoint someone to replace Darby. A. G. Nason seconded Griffin’s motion. Then, “He quickly withdrew his second, appearing to have forgotten that he was mainly responsible for the election of Mr. Ward to the same position last week. His mistake caused a laugh.”
Someone else seconded Griffin’s motion. The chairman called for reading petitions of those seeking the appointment. They were from Sweet, from Ward, from Lenden L. Boone, and Christopher F. Holland. On the first ballot, Sweet, who was U.S. Commissioner, won the required three votes. Boone and Holland drew one vote each. Ward was without support. But he would not step aside.
Sweet wrote Ward a polite letter demanding control of the office. Ward replied in writing, also polite, that he was district attorney “and cannot lawfuly adbidate said office in favor of any person whomsoever.” So, Sweet filed a complaint with the state attorney general’s office, calling for Ward’s ouster. The case was assigned to Department 1 of the Superior Court in San Diego, and presiding there was Elisha Swift Torrance. Ward and Torrance were Republicans. Sweet was a Democrat that year. But Torrance ruled for Sweet, and the California Supreme Court, also Republican, sustained him...”
From “The Chula Vista Historical Society Presents Family, Friends, and Homes,” Chula Vista Historical Society, 1991, a recollection by Martin Luther Ward, Jr.:
“My father, M.L. Ward, who started the practice of law at Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, about 1880, came to Southern California in 1887 with his wife, two children, two horses, and his household goods. He built a home in Chula Vista on one of the San Diego Land and Town Company’s five-acre tracts planted to lemons. He commuted to San Diego six days a week where he maintained an office. His income from the practice of law enabled him to maintain a close relationship with neighbors.
“My brother John and my sister Martha were born in Iowa; my brother Paul and I were born in California, he in 1888 and I in 1890.
“Mr. A. Haines, another Iowa lawyer, made a similar move at about the same time and built a house nearby on a similar tract planted to lemons. The senior Ward and senior Haines were partners in the practice of law in San Diego for many years, continuing the close relationship which existed between them in Iowa.
“The Haines children were Charles, Ralph, George, Abigail, and Oliver. Charles followed his father’s footsteps, practicing law for many years in partnership with his father and later became a judge in the Superior Court in San Diego where he made a great reputation as a jurist. George married Mr. Judson Bent’s daughter, Elsa, who sailed her own boat which she kept at the Chula Vista Yacht Club. He later died when still a young man. Ralph and Oliver both became Army officers and each retired with the rank of major general.
“The Haines and Ward families were inseparable, each Haines youngster having a Ward playmate of the same approximate age. Oliver was my constant companion. The Ward children called the Haines parents “Uncle Haines” and “Aunt Flora.” The Haines children called the Ward parents “Uncle Ward” and “Aunt Ella.” Charles Haines attended Pomona College and the University of California at Berkeley. Ralph and Oliver both attended the University of California at Berkeley before accepting commissions in the U.S.Army. John Ward attended Stanford and Harvard before embarking on a successful legal practice. His career was cut short by his death in 1936 at the age of fifty-three.
“My father served in the Senate at Sacramento for two sessions, one of them being known as the “Earthquake Session” which adopted legislation concerning the loss of records and documents in the San Francisco fire. He was the district attorney of San Diego County from 1892 to 1894.
“My father and mother helped organize the Congregational Church of Chula Vista and worshipped there until they moved to San Diego about 1904. My mother would play the organ when one was needed. It was one of those old-fashioned organs in which the power was supplied by the feet on a treadle and the volume of the music controlled by the knees working flanges below the keyboard. My father, being something of an orator, would preach when the regular preacher was absent. Maybe it would not be a real sermon--rather a speech on some timely subject with religious overtones. He was always in demand as a speaker at Fourth of July celebrations and Iowa picnics.
“The Ward children attended the Sunday School regularly and the church on occasions. I received a white ribbon for constant attendance at Sunday School for four years without an unexcused absence. My father, having been a Mason in Iowa, affiliated with the nearest California lodge in National City and continued his membership there even after he moved to San Diego. He received a fifty-year button in that lodge...
“My sister Martha married Warner Edmonds in 1907 when both were twenty-one. They took up residence in Chula Vista when he became cashier and manager of Peoples State Bank. Where did they live in Chula Vista? Why, in the old family residence where I was born in 1890. By this time, it had running water and indoor plumbing.”
San Diego Union, Wednesday, May 7, 1930:
“Martin L. Ward Dies Suddenly, Aged 80 Years”
“Had Been Resident of County Since 1887; Served as District Attorney, Senator”
“Stricken with heart disease as he leaned over to light a heater in his home at 1030 Twenty-third street early yesterday morning, Martin Luther Ward, for years an outstanding San Diegan and one of the county’s pioneer residents, died before medical aid could be summoned.
Mr. Ward’s death occurred at 6 a.m. He and his wife had planned to leave at 8 o’clock for a vacation of several weeks at a hot springs in Riverside county.
The deceased formerly was San Diego county district attorney. At one time he had served as a state senator and on the city board of education. At the time of his death he was active as a senior member of the law firm of Ward, Ward and Ward. His years of participation in development of this city, and his many social, fraternal, politcal and business associations had endeared him to a host of friends. He was exceedingly well known as a member of the bar, and at one time was a law partner of A. Haines, father of Charles C. Haines, superior judge.
INTERESTED IN SPORTS
“Although 80 years old, Mr. Ward evidenced the keenest interest in amateur and professional sports. He played golf almost daily since he first took up the game at the age of 75 years. When he was 78 he shot a hole in one while playing on the municipal course in the park.
His close associates and some of the older residents of San Diego will remember his fondness for horses. When he first came to this county to live at National City he brought with him several horses. Frequently he drove his buggy to work, and later, when he moved to San Diego, he was a familiar figure as he rode through the park to and from work, and to and from luncheon. He was one of the last businessmen in the city to discontinue horseback rides and turn to the automobile.
Education always had interested him. Besides serving as a member of the city board of education he was president of the board of trustees of the San Diego State Normal school from 1907 to 1920. When the name of the institution was changed to San Diego State Teacher’s College, he became president of the advisory board, a position he held at the time of his death.
Funeral services will be held at the Johnson-Saum mortuary at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Friends of the family, it is announced, are invited. Besides his widow, Mrs. Ella B. Ward, Mr. Ward is survived by three sons, J.M., Paul, and M. L. Ward, jr. all of San Diego. He is also survived by a daughter, Mrs. Warner Edmonds of Santa Barbara, who arrived here yesterday afternoon, and eight grandchildren including Ward Edmonds, Stanford university graduate and famous track star.
Mr. Ward was born in Athens county, Ohio, March 12, 1850. He was of direct lineal descent from John and Priscilla Alden, and by virtue of this was a member of the Mayflower society.
TAUGHT SCHOOL
“He was educated in the public schools of Green county, Wis. In 1873 he was graduated from Cornell college, Mr. Vernon, Ia., with A.B. and A.M. degrees. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. With his heart set on studying law, but not having sufficient money to continue his studies, he taught in the public schools of Green county, Wis., and in the Iowa State college for the blind.
“In 1876, he was admitted to the bar at Vinton, Ia. He moved to Cedar Rapids, Ia., and practiced law there until 1886. In 1887 he was elected county attorney there, but resigned and moved to National City. He brought with him his wife and two small children.
While living at National City he was waiting for the completion of a home he was having built at Chula Vista, a town that was just beginning to make itself known then. He lived at Chula Vista until 1904, when he moved to Tenth and C streets, San Diego. The house he occupied stood on the present site of the telephone building. A short time later he moved to 1030 Twenty-third street.
From 1892 to 1894, while living in Chula Vista, he served as district attorney here. Prior to that he had his offices in the old Methodist church block, now occupied by the Owl Drug company at Fourth and Broadway. He commuted between Chula Vista and San Diego on the old National City and Otay railway or went to and fro in his buggy.
ELECTED TO SENATE
“In 1903 he was elected from this county to the state senate. He held this position four years. In 1904 he moved his offices to the Granger building, Fifth Avenue at Broadway, then the finest office building in the city. He occupied these offices 25 years and then he and his sons moved to the Spreckels building, now the Bank of Italy building. His eldest son joined him in business in 1909 and the firm was named Ward, Wells and Ward. Edwin Wells is dead. Subsequently the firm was changed to Ward and Ward, and in 1914, when his youngest son, M. L. Ward, jr, was graduated, he entered the firm which became known as Ward, Ward and Ward.
Fifty years ago while in Iowa, Mr. Ward joined the Masons. When he moved to California he affiliated himself with the Southwest lodge at National City, and later was its master. Last month he was given his 50-year pin at a special ceremony conducted by the lodge. He also was a Shriner, a past patron of O.E.S., an Elk, a former president of the University club and one time president of the board of trustees of the First Congregational church.
His death came as a shock to his many friends. Members of his family, however, knew he had heart trouble, but were unprepared for the sudden shock. It was Mr. Ward’s custom to rise early and when he died yesterday morning he was ready to begin the day’s activities. He had not planned to retire following the contemplated vacation, but, his son said, had so arranged his business he could be absent for some time.”
San Diego City Directory Listings:
1886-7: No Listing
1887-8: No Listing
1889-90: Ward, M. L. attorney at law in M.E. ch blk, res. Chula Vista
1892-93: Ward, M. L. (Haines & Ward) res. Chula Vista; Haines & Ward, attorneys at law, 3, 4, 5, 6 ME Church Blk
1893-94: Ward, M. L. district attorney, re. Chula Vista; Haines, A, asst. dist. attorney res Chula Vista;
1895: Ward, M. L. (Haines & Ward) attys at law, Kline Blk res. Chula Vista
1897: Ward, M L (Haines & Ward) res Chula Vista
1899-1900: Ward, M L (Haines & Ward) res Chula Vista
1901: Ward, M L atty-at-law, and pres. Tex. O & L Co., 4-5 M. E. Church Blk. h. Chula Vista
1903: Ward, Martin L Attorney at law 4-6 M. E. Church Blk. res. Chula Vista, Cal.
1904: Ward, Martin L. Attorney at law Bldg. D ne cor 4th, res Chula Vista
1905: Ward, Martin L. attorney at law 4-5 M E Church Bldg D, ne cor 4th h 1030 23d
1906: Ward, Martin L. attorney at law 514-518 Granger Bldg. 5th SW cor D, h 1030 23d;
Ward, John M student, res 1030 23d; Ward, Martha C music tchr, res 1030 23d; Ward, Paul P student, res 1030 23d; Ward, M Luther clk Doud, Nelson & Morse res 1030 23d
1907: Ward, Martin L (Ward & Wells) attorney-at-law 516 Granger Bldg 964 5th, h 1030 23d; M Luther, Paul P, John M, student, 1030 23d; Martha C, r 1030 23d;
1909: Martin L. Ward (Ward, Wells, & Ward) attorney-at-law 516 Granger Bldg. h 1030 23d; John M - attorney-at-law 516 Granger Bldg h. 1030 23d; Paul P, Martin L, Jr. student
1913: Martin L Ward (Ward & Ward) attorney at law 516 Granger Bldg 964, 5th h 1030 23d; John M (Ward & Ward) attorney at law 516 Granger Bldg 964, 5th h 1030 23d; Martin L, Paul P student
1914: Ward Marten L. (Ella B.) (Ward, Ward, & Ward) h 1030 23d Martin L Jr (Ward, Ward &Ward) h 1030 23d; John M (Ward, Ward & Ward) r. 2529 Front; Paul P real estate loans & inv. 964 5th rm 516 r. 1030 23d
1916: John M (Jessie S) r. 1030 23d
1919: Paul P home 2451 1st
1920: Paul (Ruth C)
1921: Paul (Ruth M) 3388 Granada Ave John M 3200 2d.
Obituary Notice: Cedar Rapids Tribune, May 16, 1930
"M. L. Ward, Former County Officer of Linn, Dies in West
Old timers learned this week of the death at his home in San Diego, of Martin L. Ward, who served as county attorney of Linn county for a short time, back in 1887. After being admitted to the bar in 1876, he practiced law at Vinton, and then moved to Cedar Rapids. He had lived in California for about 43 years and was prominent in politics in that state. Mr. Ward was 80 years old."
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Connected Bloodlines
1850 - 1930 (80 years)
