Harrison Ward, 87 years, 10 months, and 18 days passed from this life on Monday, July 25, 1977 at 11:50 p.m. at the Cumberland Nursing Center in Greenup. The funeral was conducted at the Bishop Funeral Home on Friday at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jack Jenkins officiating. Internment followed in the Greenup Cemetery.
John Harrison Ward, son of John Madison and Lydia Jane Fogleman Ward, was born September 7, 1889 in Cumberland Co., near Greenup. He was united in marriage to Gracie Fern Green in Terre Haute, Indiana on October 10, 1911. To this union were born five sons and five daughters,eight of whom survive. They are Mrs. Gary (Mary) Burr, Bloomington; J. Lester Ward, Bloomington, Minn.; Lyle F. Ward, Omaha, Nebraska; Mrs. Paul (Alene) Earl, Rochester, NY; Mrs. Edsel [Alberta) Brown, Montrose; R. Eugene Ward, Tucson, Arizona; Kenneth W. Ward, Greenup; and Mrs. Max(Velma) Browning, Mattoon.
Preceding him in death were wife, Fern, in 1940, one son, Carroll T. Ward, in 1960, one daughter, Mrs. Elmer (Lucille) Brandenburg,in 1964, and one grandson, James Ward Brown, in 1975.
Mr. Ward is survived by one sister, Mrs. Ezra (Lena) Swearingen, of Greenup, thirty-nine grandchildren, sixty-two great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. Ward was born and reared in the large brick home built in1853 by his grandfather, Thornton A. Ward. There he spent his entire life, with the exception of the first seven years of his marriage and the last two years in which he resided at the Cumberland Nursing Center ,which he helped to establish. Mr. Ward, a retired farmer, was a widely known and highly respected member of the community in which he lived. He was a man of strong convictions and firmly lived by those convictions. Being a man of integrity, he was well loved by his neighbors and many friends. Mr. Ward will be remembered as an industrious man, a good provider for his large family, and a devoted and generous father. He will be sadly missed by his wide circle of friends and his beloved family whom he leaves to mourn his passing.
Mrs. Jack Jenkins served as organist for the memorial service. Grandsons who served as pallbearers were John Robert Ward, Joe E. Brandenburg, John Harrison Ward II, William Max Browning, John Garrie Burr, and Carroll Theodore Ward II.
Following is an excerpt from a poem found among the effects of Mr. Ward. It is from a composition written by a grandson, Jerald E. Brown, who spent the first six months of his life at the brick house. Mr. Ward cherished the poem which he received seven years ago.

The old brick home was built by hand,
With loving care by men so grand.
With tools few and knowledge nil,
The bricks were formed from yonder hill.
Three stories tall with pyramid dome,
To children, ten, it was Home Sweet Home.
From Mary to Carroll, and in between,
It weathered the years, both rich and lean.

May the years to come look down with grace,
On Pop and Mom and the Old Home Place;
The Old Brick Home,
Wreathed in memories still,
May it rest in peace, with the Good Lord's will!

Obituary of Harrison Ward, transcribed from original copy by Ruth E. (Brown) Blankenbaker, granddaughter of Harrison and daughter of L. Alberta (Ward) Brown.

Submitted by: rrcarle