The passing of a pioneer farmer
Michael B. Ward, who hosted President Rutherford B. Hayes and Governor Watson C. Squire at his Walla Walla homestead, has died at age 75.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Michael B. Ward, a pioneer resident of Walla Walla, dropped dead Wednesday morning. Born in Ohio in 1818, he moved to Washington territory in 1853 and settled in the Walla Walla valley in 1861. Ward took up a claim on Yellow Hawk creek, and his farm became noted as one of the best tilled in the valley. Careful and industrious, Ward acquired a competency and built a large house at the head of Poplar street, a prominent local landmark. In 1880, he and his wife had the honor of entertaining President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife. Later they entertained Governor Watson C. Squire during a protracted visit. Mr. Ward was an earnest Republican and served multiple terms as a county commissioner, consistently running ahead of his party's ticket.
“His place, situated near 'the Reynolds mill,' became noted as one of the best tilled farms in Walla Walla.”
Obituaries for 'pioneers' in this era often sanitize the history of settlement. Ward’s prominent homestead and political success represent the establishment of the agrarian white settler class in Eastern Washington.
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