Wards 
State and Federal Courts 
W
elcome to the "Famous Wards" section devoted to Ward kin who have served as judges, district attorneys, clerks of court and other officials in state, local and federal courts.This site is sponsored by the Ward Family Club, a national family club devoted to gathering and preserving the family history of ALL Ward descendants. If you are a Ward or descendant of a Ward, this includes you.
If you came directly to this site, be sure and visit the Ward Family Club's HOME page, where you can jump to the main Ward Family HISTORY page, the Ward QUERIES section, the online Ward Family NEWSLETTER, the Ward family MEMORIALS section and our other sites. Click on "HOME" at the bottom of the page to get started.
Courts 
Andrew Henshaw Ward was born 26 May 1784 in Shrewsbury, Ma. a son of Thomas Walter Ward and Elizabeth Denney. He graduated from Harvard College (University) in 1808 and then studied law. He was admitted to the bar at Northampton Ma. in 1811 and practiced at Shrewsbury until 1829. He was named Town Clerk and was in charge of transcribing all records of births, deaths and marriages. He became active in ending the custom of "farming out" the town's poor.
Except for two years, between 1829 and 1853, he was in charge of the US Custom House at Boston. In 1837, when a general bankruptcy law went into effect, he became United States Commissioner of Insolvence for the District of Massachusetts. This court was eventually abolished and later the Federal Bankruptcy Courts replaced it.
Andrew was a delegate from Newton to a State Convention in1853 to revise the Massachusetts constitution. For more than fifty years he was a justice of the peace, either in Shrewsbury, Boston or West Newton, where he settled in 1842. He was an active member of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society almost from its origin and a frequent contributor to its "Register." He published a " History of the Town of Shrewsbury" (Boston, 1847), containing a "Family Register," which was also issued separately; "Ward Family: Descendants of William Ward" (1851); and "Genealogical History of the Rice Family " (1858).
Daniel P. Ward was born 30 Aug 1918 in Chicago, IL. He served in the US Army during World War II. He studied law and was admitted to the bar.
He was elected a Justice from the 1st District to the Illinois State Supreme Court and served from 1966-1990. He was a member of the American Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.
Durbin Ward was appointed United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. (see State Legislatures)
Henry Galbraith Ward was born 19 Apr 1851 in New York, NY. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with both a BA and MA degrees in 1870. He then read law and passed the bar. He practiced the bar and set up a law practice in Philadelphia from 1882-1884.
He was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt on 18 May 1907 to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He was nominated 3 Dec and confirmed by the Senate 17 Dec. He assumed senior status 30 Jun 1921 and retired 31 Oct 1924. He died 24 Aug 1933 and was buried at Shelter Island, Long Island, NY.
Hiram Hamilton Ward was born 29 Apr 1923 in Thomasville, NC. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1940-1945 during World War II, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war, he graduated from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC in 1950. He set up private law practice at Denton, NC from 1950-1951. He became a staff attorney for the National Production Authority at Washington, DC from 1952-1972. He served briefly as interim Judge of the Recorder's Court at Denton in 1961.
He was nominated by Richard Nixon on 18 May 1972 to a vacant seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. He was confirmed by the Senate 28 June and received commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge of the court from 1982-1988. He assumed senior status on 20 Aug 1988. He died in office 4 Apr 2002.
Joseph L. Ward was appointed United States District Attorney for Nevada and served 1966-1969 and again in 1972.
Robert Joseph Ward was born in 1926 in New York, NY. He served as a US Naval Reserve officer from 1944-1946. He graduated from Harvard College in 1945 and received his law degree from that school in 1949. He entered private law practice in New York City from 1949-1951. He served as Assistant District Attorney for New York County, 1951-1955. He was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1956-1961.
He was nominated by Richard Nixon 25 Sep 1972 and confirmed by the Senate 12 Oct. He was commissioned 17 Oct. Robert assumed senior status on 1 Feb 1991.
Shadrach Ward Sr., a son of William Benton Ward and Elizabeth Meek, served as Judge of Johnson County County of Johnson Co., Ky. He was sworn in during Aug 1854. He was married to Abigail Mullett and they had at least 10 children.
T. John Ward was born 1943 in Bonham, Tx. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a BA degree in 1964. He received a LL.B. degree in law from Baylor University School of Law in 1967. He served as a legislative draftsman for the Texas Legislative Council from 1967-1968. He then became an Assistant County Attorney of Lubbock County, Tx. in 1968. He entered private practice from 1968 to 1999.
President William J. ("Bill") Clinton nominated John for a judgeship on the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, on 26 Jan 1999. He received his commisson on 15 Jul of that year.
Thomas Walter Ward, Sr. was born 10 Aug 1758 in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, a son of General Artemas Ward and Sarah Trowbridge. He served in the Massachusetts Militia during the Revolutionary War. He also served in the Militia during Shay's Rebellion in 1787.
Thomas was elected Sheriff of Worcester County and served for 18 years. He also served several terms as Moderator and Treasurer of the township. He was a Justict of the Peace for many years.
Thomas served as a special Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
He married Elizabeth Denny and they had 10 children. He died 20 Aug 1835 at Shrewsbury.
to main "Famous Wards" page to Ward Family Club main HISTORY page
to Ward Family Club HOME page