JOHN QUINCY ADAMS WARD, of Paris, ex-judge of the superior court of Kentucky, was born in Oxford, Scott county, this state, August 29, 1838. Of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the predominant traits of the two nations have characterized the representatives of the family, the versatility and alertness of the latter being combined with the unswerving loyalty to duty and unwavering fidelity of the former. The year 1750 marked the advent of the family into America, and Virginia was chosen as their home. The grandfather, Joseph Ward, was a member of the legislature of that state and also served as judge of the court of quarter sessions for several terms. He married Margaret Coalter, of the Virginian family of that name. Cary Aldry Ward, the father of Judge Ward, of Paris, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, where his parents located on their removal from Fauquier county, Virginia, about 1785. He learned the printer’s trade, and at one time edited a paper at Oxford, Ohio. After 1832 he devoted his energies to farming and merchandising, and became one of the leading and influential citizens of his section of the state. His wife, Mrs. Eliza Jane Ward, was a daughter of John and Ann (Daugherty) Risk, both representatives of pioneer families of Woodford county. Among her paternal ancestry were those who spelled the name Risque, Risk, and Rusk, according to their claim of descent from the French, English or Scotch.
Judge Ward obtained his education in the common schools of Scott county, and graduated in Georgetown College with the class of 1858; and among his classmates were several who have obtained eminence in professional circles, including John L. Peak, of Kansas City, Missouri, who served as minister to Switzerland in 1896; Rev. Dr. George Varden, a prominent Baptist divine, of Paris, Kentucky; Judge James E. Cantrill, who served on the circuit court bench; and Judge Richard Reid, of the superior court. Judge Ward pursued his law studies in Georgetown, under the preceptorage of Marcellus Polk, and in August, 1850, was admitted to the bar.
In September of the same year he entered upon his professional career as a member of the legal fraternity of Cynthiana, Kentucky, and in 1862 was elected county attorney, which office he filled acceptably for four years. He was also common-school commissioner, and in 1873 was elected to the legislature. Aside from his official duties his time was given to his practice, which steadily grew in volume and importance, and experience tested his abilities and proved his merit. The legal business entrusted to his care was of a high character; but with consummate skill he handled the intricate problems of the law. Success at the bar largely demands a consecration of one’s time and talents; each case must be thoroughly studied and carefully prepared. Judge Ward manifested the most painstaking effort in the trial of the causes entrusted to him, and rested the case upon the clear and concise presentation of facts and the law applicable to them. His superior knowledge of the elemental principles of jurisprudence, as well as his accurate comprehension of the finer shades of meaning which are often found in the law, eminently qualified him for judgeship, and in 1884 he was elected to the bench of the superior court to fill the unexpired term of Judge Reid. In 1886 he was re-elected, without opposition, for a full term of four years, and in 1890 declined a re-election.
On his retirement from the bench he removed to Paris, Kentucky, and his eminent abilities soon won him a distinctive clientele. The rapidity with which railroads have multiplied while the owners have formed corporations and powerful combines, often neglectful of individual rights, has led to much legislation on the subject, and railroad law has become a most important department of jurisprudence. Judge Ward has given particular attention to railroad law and has represented various private interests in the opposition to these corporations. He was the attorney for Mr. Thomas in the litigation of Thomas versus The Kentucky Central railroad, which was the first suit in the state to raise the question of negligence on the part of a railroad company when it failed to equip its passenger cars with Westinghouse air-brakes. He won his suit and thus brought about a better service in the passenger department. Judge Ward was also counsel for the plaintiff in the case of Eckler versus The Kentucky Central Railroad Company, when the plaint was raised against the company permitting underbrush to grow close beside the track. This suit resulted in the clearing of a space on both sides of the track. Other leading cases of importance with which Judge Ward has been connected are Greenbaum Brothers versus Megibben, involving the negotiability of warehouse receipts; Patterson versus The Northern Bank of Kentucky, involving the distribution of assigned assets where tow or more assignors have cross liabilities as principal and surety; Lail versus Eckler, involving a conditional promise to pay after discharge in bankruptcy.
On the 30th of November, 1865, Mr. Ward married Miss Mary Eliza Miller, daughter of James and Ann Frances (Boyd) Miller, of Harrison county, Kentucky, representatives of pioneer families of distinction. On her paternal side her ancestry were from Pennsylvania, and, on the maternal side, from Virginia. Strother Boyd, uncle of Mrs. Ward, was for many years judge of the circuit court of the Covington district. The ease and grace of her cultured nature adds to the charm of Mrs. Ward’s home, and the flowers which are there seen in profusion are suggestive of her love of the beautiful. Judge and Mrs. Ward have three children, namely: J. Miller, proprietor of the Sunland stock farm; Anna Cary; and J. Q., a law student in his father’s office.
The Judge is a member of the Presbyterian church, the church of his fathers for many generations, and since 1871 he has been an elder in that body. He was elected moderator of the synod of Kentucky in 1893, by acclamation, and was the first layman ever chosen to that office in the state. He is also a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity, and is deeply interested in the charitable work of that order. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of the United Workmen. For fifteen years he has been one of the curators of the Central University, at Richmond, Kentucky, and has long been a most earnest and active friend of the cause of education and the public-school system. Progressive and enterprising, he gives a commendable support to all measures calculated to advance the general good; and by his intelligent advocacy of such enterprises largely promotes their progress.
Sin 1867 he has made it a rule to invest his earnings in farm lands, and his recreation is in giving attention to the cultivation of his blue-grass farms, and the breeding of all kinds of fine stock. He lives on his country place, about two miles from his office, and claims that in passing to and fro ideas have come to him by which he has gained his most difficult cases. He is an ardent lover of nature and pastoral life, and his travels have been to see nature’s wonders,–the Mammoth cave of his native state, Niagara Falls, Pike’s Peak, Salt Lake, the mountains and canyons of Colorado and California, Mariposa Grove and the beautiful valley of Yosemite, the fruit and flower fields of Florida and California, are some of the “pictures that hang on memory’s walls,” which he delights to contemplate and talk about. His wife and his children are as well “traveled” as he, and are his companions when at home or when journeying to see, learn and enjoy.
Reared in the faith of the Whig party, on attaining his majority he allied his interests with the Democracy. He was a strong Union man during the war, being opposed to secession under any and all circumstances. Broadly viewing the public questions and issues, he has thoroughly informed himself on all matters concerning the political situation of the country, and is frequently seen advancing his views from the campaign platform, where his eloquence, logic and forceful arguments always carry conviction. He is broad minded enough to look beyond the interest of the moment to the splendid possibilities of the future. He has been called by his fellow citizens to discharge grave public duties, all of which has been performed by him with rare judgment. Upright in his dealings with his fellow men and in all the walks of life, he commands uniform respect and stands foremost among the jurists of the state.
Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press. p. 141. Harrison County.