California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

JAMES WARD. Among the men who have been contributing factors in the development and 
progress of Ventura County, one who accomplished much for his section while winning 
satisfying personal success, was the late James Ward. From 1890 until his death, which 
occurred December 8, 1910, he carried on agricultural operations here, and as a practical 
farmer, not less than a progressive and public-spirited citizen, held the respect and esteem of 
his fellow citizens as a very desirable member of the community.
Mr. Ward was born in 1834, at Woodsentown, north of Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland, and 
there received his education. He was twelve years of age when he came to the United States 
with his sister, they having located at Newark, New Jersey, where he learned the trade of brick 
laying. When his apprenticeship was completed he started out as a journeyman bricklayer, his 
subsequent travels carrying him all over the United States, Mexico and Central and South 
America and his work being done on structures of every description. In 1871 he arrived at Santa 
Barbara, California, where he secured employment at his trade, but eventually established 
himself in business as a contractor and builder and erected a great number of the brick 
buildings which still stand in that city. While thus engaged he also owned a ranch at 
Carpinteria, California, where he made his home until 1890, and in that year came to Ventura 
County and purchased 115 acres of land near Montalvo. He engaged in farming on this tract, 
and his successful operations led him to purchase 170 acres more, located near Camarillo, 
which he farmed with his other place until his death. Since that time the land has been 
incorporated by the heirs as the Ward Estate Company, which has since purchased 480 acres 
near Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, this being planted in beans. James Ward was a democrat. 
Like most men who have been architects of their own fortunes, he was easily approached, but 
there was never any lacking of dignity or firmness. Through his energy and perseverance he 
was able to build up a satisfying fortune, through methods against which no slur of dishonesty 
or sharp practice were ever cast. Mr. Ward was married at Guadalajara, Mexico, to Louisa 
Camarena, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Lorenzo, who farms the 
Camarillo ranch of 170 acres; Mrs. Harry Valentine, of Ventura ; Ellen, who resides at home 
with her mother ; Isabelle, who is a teacher at Silver City, New Mexico ; Frank, who is farming 
the Lompoc Ranch ; James; and Mrs. C. H. Weaver, of Oxnard, California.
James Ward, son of James and Louisa Ward, was born at Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, 
California, July 7, 1882, and received his education in Ventura County, where he was graduated 
from the high school in 1902. He then went to Santa Monica, California, where he rented a 
large ranch and pioneered the bean industry in that region, but in 1906 returned to Ventura 
County and planted the home ranch of 115 acres, near Montalvo, in beans. He has made a 
success of his operations in this field of activity, being known as one of the progressive and 
practical ranchmen of the younger generation in the county, and also owns and operates a 
large and complete threshing machine, which is modern in every particular. He is maintaining 
the high standard of honesty and good citizenship established by his father, and as a result holds 
the confidence of those with whom he has been associated. • Mr. Ward is a member of 
Santa Barbara Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a democrat in his 
political views.
On December 25, 1907, Mr. Ward was married at Tacoma, Washington, to Miss Connie 
Valentine, and they are the parents of two children: James Valentine, aged seven years, who is 
attending the Montalvo public schools; and Mildred, aged four years.