James William Ovard Obituary

November 1916 – Passage. Joseph W. Ovard Dies Suddenly – Was Indian War Veteran and Early Settler of American Fork

Joseph W. Ovard died suddenly of heart failure at his home early Monday morning. He had been a sufferer from Rheumatism for a number of years, but has been able to transact the business of his café. Sunday night he ate a hearty supper, took a bath and retired in usual health. About 1 o’clock his granddaughter, sleeping in a near room, heard a gurgling noise and aroused her mother, Mrs. Chase. A doctor was summoned but Mr. Ovard passed away before the medical aid arrived.

Mr. Ovard was one of the early settlers of American Fork coming here with his parents, Thomas and Hannah Ovard in 1855. He was born Loxly, Warwickshire, England, Feb. 8, 1845. After coming to Utah he has followed the occupations of farming, railroading, machinist, carrying mail, undertaking and for the past several years operating a care and confectionary. He passed through the experiences incidental to pioneer life in Utah, made five trips across the plains with ox teams and mules for freight and emigrants and was called to help suppress the Black Hawk war in Sanpete and Beaver in the sixties.

He has lived for short periods in Provo, Preston, Green River, Henefer and Farmington, but always came back to this city. He married his wife, Miss Rheuamah Hess in Farmington.

He leaves a widow and ten children, five boys and five girls. The boys are: Joseph, John, George, William and Jesse; the girls are: Mrs. Hattie Smith, Mrs. Charlotte Shelley, Mrs. Elleanor Lee, Mrs. Blanch Lee and Mrs. Emma Chase. They are living in California, Canada, Idaho, Ogden and American Fork. At the time of the death, Mrs. Ovard was on a visit to her daughters in Ogden.

Funeral services will be held today (Saturday) at 1 o’clock in the First Ward Church.

Source: Newspaper article published in the American Fork Citizen (American Fork, Utah), Saturday, November 25, 1916, Page 1.