The spirit of modern business enterprise, of thorough mastery of each detail of business and marked initiative characterize the efforts of Frederick M. Ward, president of The Frederick M. Ward Company, conducting a real estate and mortgage loan business in New Haven, along which lines of activity lie has advanced to prominence in business and financial circles. He was born in New Britain, Connecticut, April 24, 1856, a son of Alexander and Louise B. (North) Ward. The father was a native of Kensington, Connecticut, while the mother was born in New Britain. They spent their entire lives in this state. He died in 1912 at the notable old age of ninety-five years, while his wife passed away in New Haven in 1909 at the age of eighty-three years. They had a family of two children, the younger being Mrs. Wells Campbell of this city.

Frederick M. Ward attended the schools of New Britain and of New Haven, and in his youthful days began work on a farm at Manchester, Connecticut, devoting eight years to general agricultural pursuits. On the expiration of that period he returned to New Haven, where he took up office work, and eventually he accepted a clerkship in a real estate office, thus directing his efforts for the first time in the line of business in which he is now so successfully engaged. He became interested in real estate activities and in 1900 determined to engage in that line of business on his own account. He had carefully studied the situation and the methods in vogue and had evolved several very progressive ideas as to methods of procedure. These he at once put into practice and their value was proven in the immediate success which attended his efforts. In 1911 he incorporated his interests under the name of The Frederick M. Ward Company, of which he became the head, with Herbert B. Townsend as secretary and his nephew, Frederic W. Campbell as treasurer. The firm conducts a large real estate, mortgage and loan business, and the volume of their business and their progressive methods place them in the foremost ranks of those in this field. They are most careful in placing investments, and have placed over two million dollars in loans in New Haven without the loss of a single dollar of interest or principal. They exercise the utmost care in making appraisals and always investigate the character and business ability of a borrower. Their methods bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and they never hesitate to explain their methods in detail. The Frederick M. Ward Company occupies a most attractive office building and upon close application, sound, discriminating judgment and incorruptible integrity their business has been built up.

On the 14th of December, 1912, Mr. Ward was united in marriage to Mrs. Minnie (Seelye) Post, a daughter of Seth T. Seelye, who was a well known citizen of New Haven. Her father belonged to a highly respected and influential family and held important offices of trust, serving as city clerk for a number of years.

Mr. Ward is a member of Wooster Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he also holds membership in the Masonic Club. He has worked his way steadily upward to his present position of prominence and leadership in business circles, wisely utilizing his time and talents, and the splendid record that he has made should serve to encourage and inspire others, indicating what may be accomplished through laudable ambition coupled with persistency of purpose.