G. F. M. WARD, clothier and gents' furnisher, Mount Vernon. The successful man is he who chooses his life-work with reference to his native ability and tastes. The men who fail in their calling are not men without ability ; often they are men of brilliant genius, but they are they who have turned the current of their life force into a wrong channel. Mr. Ward is a successful business man. His success has followed his work naturally as effect follows cause.

His early tastes inclined him toward a mercantile life. He cherished this feeling till it became inwrought in the very fiber of his being, so that when he began active life he had little to decide; the atmosphere of mercantile life has become his native element.

Our subject was born in Harrington, Litchfield Co., Conn., on October 11, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Lucy A. (Todd) Ward. The father is a native of Waterbury, Conn., and is a farmer by occupation. In 1858, he came to Illinois, and first settled near Carbondale. He is at present living near Duquoin. The mother was a native of Connecticut, and is still living. To her have been born six children, viz.:

1. Elmira (deceased),
2. Julius H., William
3. D. (both in business in Duquoin, Ill.)
4. George T. M.,
5. John N. (deceased), and
6. Samuel (a merchant in Carbondale).

The education of our subject was received principally in the schools of Carbondale. When young, he lent an assisting hand on his father's farm.

On April 7, 1874, he commenced clerking for M. Goldman, at Carbondale. He remained with this gentleman until May 10, 1875, and then formed a partnership with John Hayden, and put in operation the Carbondale Marble Works. In August, 1S75, he, however, sold out his interest in that concern and came to Duquoin, where he clerked for Joseph Solomon, until his arrival in Mount Vernon, on August 1, 1879. In this city he formed a partnership with his employer, and opened a clothing house under the firm name of Ward & Solomon. This firm continued in operation until January 1, 1883, when the firm dissolved by mutual agreement, and since then our subject has carried on the business alone, and at present has in stock one of the most complete assortments of gents' furnishing goods in the city.

In Duquoin, Ill., on June 2, 1880, Mr. Ward was married to Miss Sarah E. Pope. This lady was born July 31, 1857, in Franklin County, 111., and is a daughter of Dr. B. F. Pope, of Duquoin. Two children have blessed this union—

1. Todd P., born February 16, 1881, and
2. Leota, born September 4, 1882.

Mrs. Ward is a member of the Christian Church of Duquoin. Mr. Ward is a member of Marion Lodge, No. 13, I. 0. 0. F., and Jefferson Encampment, No. 91. He at present represents the Third Ward in the Mount Vernon Common Council. In politics, he is a Democrat.

SOURCE: History of Jefferson County, Illinois - 1883
by William Henry Perrin
Submitted by: Sandy Bauer