THOMAS E. WARD, the present treasurer of Sullivan county, Indiana, was born January 4, 1863, in Sullivan, son of Anderson and Elizabeth Jane (Roll) Ward. The father, who was a native of Tennessee, of Irish ancestry, was born March 21, 1818, and died September 22, 1884, in Sullivan county, Indiana. The mother was born in Vigo county, Indiana, in 1836, and died March 2, 1882, in Sullivan county. They were united in marriage in Vigo county in 1854, and resided for a time - probably about four years - in Fayette township, Vigo county, and then moved to a farm six miles from Sullivan, in an eastern direction. After living there one or two seasons, they moved into the town of Sullivan. They then moved back and forth to the farm from Sullivan at different times, but were living on the farm at the date of their death. Anderson Ward came to Indiana when ten years of age with his parents. When he was old enough, he taught school and became a physician, and was also a minister in the Church of Christ, being in the ministry at the time of his death. Politically, he was a Democrat. He was at one time a member of the Masonic order. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Sarah, deceased; Polly, deceased; Nancy M., residing at Terre Haute; Bettie, of Vigo county; Thomas E.; Katie, now of Vigo county; Jennie, of Vigo county; John B., residing in Sullivan county; Mattie, living in Chicago; Lou H., residing in Sullivan; Maggie, residing in Sullivan county. The living children are all married and settled in homes of their own.


Thomas E. Ward, the fifth child in his parents' family, received his early education in his native place and labored on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. He then started out in life on his own account following farming until the autumn of 1907, when he purchased a residence in Sullivan. During the winter months for fifteen years he worked in the coal mines. In November, 1906, he was elected county treasurer of Sullivan county, taking his office January 1, 1908. He was elected on the Democratic ticket, which party he has always supported. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is advanced in that order to the Encampment. He also holds a membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Sullivan.


October 16, 1886, he was married to Katie Waggoner, who was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, January 14, 1867, daughter of William H. and Mary (Snow) Waggoner. Her mother is residing in Oklahoma. Five children were born to Thomas E. Ward and wife: Lillie E., born July 15, 1889, a graduate of Lyons Business College, of Sullivan, Indiana, with the class of 1907, and now assisting her father in his official duties as treasurer; Ivy Fern, July 27, 1891, attending school at the State Normal at Terre Haute; Tressie May, May 3, 1893, attending high school; Vernice Keitha, March 5, 1900; and Roy Anderson, October 17, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Ward and family are members of the Church of Christ; he is an elder and trustee of this church, at Palmer Prairie, Sullivan county.