Marcus L. Ward, Governor, U.S. Congressman

Marcus Lawrence Ward (November 9, 1812 – April 25, 1884) was an American Republican Party politician, who served as the 21st Governor of New Jersey from 1866 to 1869, and represented the state in Congress for one term, from 1873 to 1875.

• Born: Nov 09, 1812
• Passed: Apr 25, 1884
• Birth State: New Jersey
• Party: Republican
• Family: Married Susan Morris; eight children
• National Office(s) Served: Representative

During and after the Civil War, Marcus L. Ward gained the nickname “A Soldiers Friend” because of his philanthropic activities on behalf of the N.J. Union soldiers. Such activities included setting up an office in Newark to aid in the dispersal of a soldier’s pay into special savings accounts or directly to their families. If a soldier was killed this office also made sure the pension owed to the soldier’s family was paid.

There is a memorial plaque dedicated to him in the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden behind the Newark Museum.

Marcus Lawrence Ward descended from John Ward, one of the original founders of the city of Newark in 1666.

Biography

from New Jersey Governor Marcus Lawrence Ward

Marcus L. Ward, the twenty-sixth governor of New Jersey was born in Newark, New Jersey on November 9, 1812. His education was limited and attained in the common schools of his native state. He went to work in his family's candle manufacturing company, where he eventually was made a partner. He also was involved in the banking industry, as well as taking an active part in the founding of the Newark Library Association. Ward first entered politics as a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention, a position he held again in 1864. After an unsuccessful bid for the governor's office in 1862, Ward was elected to the governorship on November 7, 1865. During his tenure, prison reform was implemented; and a public school act was sanctioned. After completing his gubernatorial term, Ward continued to stay active in politics. In 1873 he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he held for two years.

Governor Marcus L. Ward passed away on April 25, 1884, and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey.

References

• Marcus Lawrence Ward biography, United States Congress. Accessed July 31, 2007.
• Marcus Lawrence Ward at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Political Graveyard information for Marcus Lawrence Ward
• Dead Governors of New Jersey bio for Marcus L. Ward
• Marcus L. Ward, "the soldiers friend." Published 1865 by Printed by Chiswell & Wurts in Paterson, N.J .

Links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Lawrence_Ward