"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 621. Malheur County. JOHN A. WARD Among the leading citizens of Malheur county is to be placed the name of the subject of this sketch, since he is a man of excellent talent and enterprise; since he is one of the heavy land owners of this irrigated section; and since he is one of the promoters and originators of the Owyhee ditch -- which has been of untold benefit to this and surrounding country, making more wealth for Malheur county than almost any other one venture. John A. was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, on February 15, 1858, being the son of George P. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Ward. He was reared on a farm and gained his education from the common schools. The father was a man of property and handled a hotel in addition to the farm. In 1872 the mother died and in 1881 the father also was called from the scenes of earth. In September of the same year, our subject came by train direct to Winnemucca, Nevada, and thence on horse back to Silver City, Idaho. He worked a short time in a livery stable and then engaged in the mines and later with his brother he went in the sheep business. In 1884 he engaged in the sheep business in Malheur county, following the same until 1891. At that time, he sold his sheep and took up a claim of eighty acres on the Owyhee river, which he watered with irrigating ditches and improved well. In 1899 Mr. Ward removed to his present place which consists of two hundred and twenty acres of fine land, three miles southwest from Nyssa. It is a model place, being well watered and having good improvements. Mr. Ward and his three brothers and four others commenced the Owyhee ditch and later they incorporated and he is one of the original stockholders and incorporators. His land is well watered from this ditch. The marriage of Mr. Ward and Miss Ida B., daughter of Albert B. and Angeletta (Davis) Neathery, of the vicinity of Nyssa, was solemnized on September 9, 1891, and they have become the parents of the following named children: Audrey J., Pearl F., Irl D., Cecil, and Albert W. Mr. Ward is one of the prominent men of this section and deserves much credit for the energetic and enterprising manner in which he as wrought for the advancement of the country and its improvement. He has the esteem and respect and confidence of all. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.