Lafayette (Lafe) Ward

Lafayette (Lafe) Ward was born to Abraham and Lucinda Woolwine Ward on Dec. 9, 1867, in Randolph, West Virginia. When he was 7 years old, he came to California with his parents, first settling in Collegeville, then Elliott. Abraham Ward worked on region farms just before buying his acreage all around 1885. Lafe worked on the spouse and children farm until finally his father died in 1903. By shrewd organization dealings, Lafe Ward expanded the family farm into 1 of the most comprehensive land holdings in the area. Ward was married twice, initial to Daisy Hatton Ward, then to Justice of the Peace Lida Sparks Bowman Ward. Lafe Ward retired from farming in 1940 and passed absent in 1958.