The Marlow Magnet
Marlow, Indian Territory
(later Stephens County, Oklahoma)
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"Victory over Death"
BROTHER JOHN WARD was born in the state of Missouri in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11o'clock.
Bro. Ward was a faithful minister in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end, in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearance, and he remarked to this writer, "BRO. SAUNDERS, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem," and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, "Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining." Then he remarked, "I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it." He also remarked, " Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this." He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, "Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been."
His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS∼John Lee Ward was the youngest of nine children born to Thomas H. and Penelope Taylor Ward. He was born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi on June 15, 1860. The times were hard during his first years. The War between the States took its toll on families everywhere. By the time he was three, his father had died as well as an older brother, Charles T. who died in a confederate hospital in Atlanta. One other brother, Dan, survived the War but fought in some of the hardest battles fought and was wounded. Between 1863 and 1870, his mom moved their little family to Oxford in Lafayette County, Mississippi where they lived next door to an older sister, Mary Elizabeth Carson, her husband and family. In the early 1870's, the family packed up and moved to Cooke County, Texas. Quite an adventure for a young boy of 11 or 12. I am sure the family felt like they were beginning a new life in the wild state of Texas. They eventually crossed the Red River and settled in the Loco area of Indian Territory.
Little is known about John Lee, other than he became a christian in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M.E. Church South. He followed his older brothers, Rev. J. J. Ward and Rev. Wm. Dan Ward into the ministry & attached to the Missionary Baptist Church. He died at the age of 34 without having married. Family stories related that his being thrown from a horse was the cause of his death, but the following article indicates that he may have lingered a while before his death.
The following article gives us a glimpse as to the kind of man the Rev. John Lee Ward was:
The Marlow Magnet
Marlow, Indian Territory
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"VICTORY OVER DEATH"
"Brother John Ward was born in the state of Missouri* (*correction--Mississippi) in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11 o'clock.
"Bro. Ward was a faithful minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearnace, and he remarked to this writer, 'Bro. Saunders, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem,' and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, 'Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining.' Then he remarked, 'I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it.' He also remarked, 'Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this.' He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, 'Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been.'
"His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
"The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS" * * *
Marlow, Indian Territory
(later Stephens County, Oklahoma)
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"Victory over Death"
BROTHER JOHN WARD was born in the state of Missouri in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11o'clock.
Bro. Ward was a faithful minister in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end, in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearance, and he remarked to this writer, "BRO. SAUNDERS, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem," and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, "Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining." Then he remarked, "I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it." He also remarked, " Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this." He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, "Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been."
His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS∼John Lee Ward was the youngest of nine children born to Thomas H. and Penelope Taylor Ward. He was born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi on June 15, 1860. The times were hard during his first years. The War between the States took its toll on families everywhere. By the time he was three, his father had died as well as an older brother, Charles T. who died in a confederate hospital in Atlanta. One other brother, Dan, survived the War but fought in some of the hardest battles fought and was wounded. Between 1863 and 1870, his mom moved their little family to Oxford in Lafayette County, Mississippi where they lived next door to an older sister, Mary Elizabeth Carson, her husband and family. In the early 1870's, the family packed up and moved to Cooke County, Texas. Quite an adventure for a young boy of 11 or 12. I am sure the family felt like they were beginning a new life in the wild state of Texas. They eventually crossed the Red River and settled in the Loco area of Indian Territory.
Little is known about John Lee, other than he became a christian in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M.E. Church South. He followed his older brothers, Rev. J. J. Ward and Rev. Wm. Dan Ward into the ministry & attached to the Missionary Baptist Church. He died at the age of 34 without having married. Family stories related that his being thrown from a horse was the cause of his death, but the following article indicates that he may have lingered a while before his death.
The following article gives us a glimpse as to the kind of man the Rev. John Lee Ward was:
The Marlow Magnet
Marlow, Indian Territory
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"VICTORY OVER DEATH"
"Brother John Ward was born in the state of Missouri* (*correction--Mississippi) in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11 o'clock.
"Bro. Ward was a faithful minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearnace, and he remarked to this writer, 'Bro. Saunders, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem,' and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, 'Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining.' Then he remarked, 'I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it.' He also remarked, 'Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this.' He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, 'Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been.'
"His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
"The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS" * * *
The Marlow Magnet
Marlow, Indian Territory
(later Stephens County, Oklahoma)
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"Victory over Death"
BROTHER JOHN WARD was born in the state of Missouri in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11o'clock.
Bro. Ward was a faithful minister in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end, in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearance, and he remarked to this writer, "BRO. SAUNDERS, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem," and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, "Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining." Then he remarked, "I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it." He also remarked, " Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this." He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, "Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been."
His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS∼John Lee Ward was the youngest of nine children born to Thomas H. and Penelope Taylor Ward. He was born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi on June 15, 1860. The times were hard during his first years. The War between the States took its toll on families everywhere. By the time he was three, his father had died as well as an older brother, Charles T. who died in a confederate hospital in Atlanta. One other brother, Dan, survived the War but fought in some of the hardest battles fought and was wounded. Between 1863 and 1870, his mom moved their little family to Oxford in Lafayette County, Mississippi where they lived next door to an older sister, Mary Elizabeth Carson, her husband and family. In the early 1870's, the family packed up and moved to Cooke County, Texas. Quite an adventure for a young boy of 11 or 12. I am sure the family felt like they were beginning a new life in the wild state of Texas. They eventually crossed the Red River and settled in the Loco area of Indian Territory.
Little is known about John Lee, other than he became a christian in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M.E. Church South. He followed his older brothers, Rev. J. J. Ward and Rev. Wm. Dan Ward into the ministry & attached to the Missionary Baptist Church. He died at the age of 34 without having married. Family stories related that his being thrown from a horse was the cause of his death, but the following article indicates that he may have lingered a while before his death.
The following article gives us a glimpse as to the kind of man the Rev. John Lee Ward was:
The Marlow Magnet
Marlow, Indian Territory
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"VICTORY OVER DEATH"
"Brother John Ward was born in the state of Missouri* (*correction--Mississippi) in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11 o'clock.
"Bro. Ward was a faithful minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearnace, and he remarked to this writer, 'Bro. Saunders, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem,' and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, 'Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining.' Then he remarked, 'I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it.' He also remarked, 'Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this.' He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, 'Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been.'
"His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
"The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS" * * *
Marlow, Indian Territory
(later Stephens County, Oklahoma)
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"Victory over Death"
BROTHER JOHN WARD was born in the state of Missouri in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11o'clock.
Bro. Ward was a faithful minister in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end, in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearance, and he remarked to this writer, "BRO. SAUNDERS, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem," and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, "Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining." Then he remarked, "I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it." He also remarked, " Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this." He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, "Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been."
His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS∼John Lee Ward was the youngest of nine children born to Thomas H. and Penelope Taylor Ward. He was born in Pontotoc County, Mississippi on June 15, 1860. The times were hard during his first years. The War between the States took its toll on families everywhere. By the time he was three, his father had died as well as an older brother, Charles T. who died in a confederate hospital in Atlanta. One other brother, Dan, survived the War but fought in some of the hardest battles fought and was wounded. Between 1863 and 1870, his mom moved their little family to Oxford in Lafayette County, Mississippi where they lived next door to an older sister, Mary Elizabeth Carson, her husband and family. In the early 1870's, the family packed up and moved to Cooke County, Texas. Quite an adventure for a young boy of 11 or 12. I am sure the family felt like they were beginning a new life in the wild state of Texas. They eventually crossed the Red River and settled in the Loco area of Indian Territory.
Little is known about John Lee, other than he became a christian in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M.E. Church South. He followed his older brothers, Rev. J. J. Ward and Rev. Wm. Dan Ward into the ministry & attached to the Missionary Baptist Church. He died at the age of 34 without having married. Family stories related that his being thrown from a horse was the cause of his death, but the following article indicates that he may have lingered a while before his death.
The following article gives us a glimpse as to the kind of man the Rev. John Lee Ward was:
The Marlow Magnet
Marlow, Indian Territory
Thursday, August 9, 1894
"VICTORY OVER DEATH"
"Brother John Ward was born in the state of Missouri* (*correction--Mississippi) in the year of 1860, professed a hope in Christ in 1877 in the Chickasaw Nation and joined the M. E. Church South. He lived in that connection about eight years and then became attached to the Missionary Baptist Church of which he was a consistent member up to his death which occurred on Friday, July 27, 1894 at 11 o'clock.
"Bro. Ward was a faithful minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his reward seemed to be made manifest, even before death, over which he seemed to be extremely triumphant. He seemed to be perfectly resigned to the will of our Heavenly Master and said that his only regrets were on account of having to leave his seemingly helpless family. He had some very peculiar experiences near his end in which he seemed to see Heaven as it is, or rather all natural objects seemed to put on a glorified appearnace, and he remarked to this writer, 'Bro. Saunders, I see such a beautiful sight I feel that I shall never see a more beautiful sight even when I enter the City of Jerusalem,' and he would stroke my beard with his poor, thin, wasted hand, and so white and as shining as snow. Upon my asking him if he thought his eyesight was all right, he answered with the greatest degree of assurance, 'Oh, yes you look just as you always do, only bright and shining.' Then he remarked, 'I have been a poor doubting wretch, but blessed be God, there are no doubts now; God has given me dying grace when I need it.' He also remarked, 'Bro. Saunders, I know now, that if I had been as faithful as I should have been in the ministry of the Word, I would have been a sound man now, I feel this.' He then admonished us all to be more faithful. He also extorted sinners present to seek God now, for he said, 'Supposing I had put off that matter until now. Oh! What an awful thing it would have been.'
"His remains were interred near Loco, at the Mountain Grove Church. His funeral was attended by a large number of friends and relatives.
"The writer conducted the services at the close of which scores of sinners came forward asking the prayers of the Children of God.
Signed: W. S. SAUNDERS" * * *
Gravesite Details
Marker broken in half
Family Members
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