LEE ALISON WARD
Birth: 14 May 1870
Death: 16 Mar 1953
(age 82 years, 10 months, 2 days)
Lee Alison Ward and Maude Lee Isbell started their lives together January 17, 1906, They were married in the Isbell home, south of Veal Station, by the Reverend A. D. Smith, pastor of the Godfrey Chapel Methodist Church. They moved into the log house that Lee’s father, Henry Ward, built and where Lee was born May 14, 1870. Lee’s mother was Maryland Clifton. There were 2 own sisters and 4 own brothers; he also had 4 half sisters and 2 half brothers.
Maude and her twin sister Minnie May Woody were born at Weiland, north of Weatherford, December 30, 1880. Maude’s parents Yearby Hudson Isbell a former sheriff of Parker County, and Mary Lou Ella Patterson, whose father was Worley S. Patterson, a popular doctor in the county for many years.
Ella died when the twins were 10 years of age and Yearby Isbell married Frances Cumming. They had three daughters: Gertrude Ritch, Ethel Rogers, and Lavinia Bell.
There were still some Indians in this area when Lee was a boy and I have heard him tell of the times the Indians would try to steal the horses; they would find where the Indians sat on the rail fence and chewed cane. One time Henry Ward put through a crack in the wall and shot at the Indians, there was a scream as they rode away but they never knew if one was really hit.
After Lee’s father died he lived with his brother Marvin Ward, they were very close, they owned land and farm equipment together, including a threshing machine. They spent much time in the summer helping thresh grain for people of the community.
As has been mentioned Lee was a wheat farmer, he raised enough oats and corn to feed the cattle, hogs, and a few sheep also chickens and turkeys; but the money crop was wheat and sometimes it didn’t produce much grain therefore not much money, but they had a good life together. Lee practiced soil conservation and diversified farming by plowing properly and planting cotton on small alternating areas for soil building.
Lee owned 6 mules, which were used for farming, hauling, and transportation before we owned a car. He was especially proud of four of the largest mules in the county, and when he drove them to town people stopped and took notice.
Maude and Lee had two children, a girl, Mary Ruth and a boy, Yearby Henry.
Maude and Lee had many friends, they were good citizens, good neighbors, and most of all they were good Christians. They were members of Godfrey Chapel Methodist Church where Maude taught a Sunday school class. Lee was Sunday School Superintendent, was a Steward, and led the singing. They were also interested in community affairs, Maude was active in one of the first Home Demonstration Clubs in the county and worked with girls in the 4-H club. She did much home canning and was a wonderful cook. Lee served as a trustee of the Wright School District during a building program and at several other times.
Maude Ward died February 4, 1934. Lee died March 16, 1953, they are both buried in the Clark Cemetery, northeast of Weatherford.
Written by Mary Ruth Ward-Sharpe (daughter of Lee and Maude)
Maude and her twin sister Minnie May Woody were born at Weiland, north of Weatherford, December 30, 1880. Maude’s parents Yearby Hudson Isbell a former sheriff of Parker County, and Mary Lou Ella Patterson, whose father was Worley S. Patterson, a popular doctor in the county for many years.
Ella died when the twins were 10 years of age and Yearby Isbell married Frances Cumming. They had three daughters: Gertrude Ritch, Ethel Rogers, and Lavinia Bell.
There were still some Indians in this area when Lee was a boy and I have heard him tell of the times the Indians would try to steal the horses; they would find where the Indians sat on the rail fence and chewed cane. One time Henry Ward put through a crack in the wall and shot at the Indians, there was a scream as they rode away but they never knew if one was really hit.
After Lee’s father died he lived with his brother Marvin Ward, they were very close, they owned land and farm equipment together, including a threshing machine. They spent much time in the summer helping thresh grain for people of the community.
As has been mentioned Lee was a wheat farmer, he raised enough oats and corn to feed the cattle, hogs, and a few sheep also chickens and turkeys; but the money crop was wheat and sometimes it didn’t produce much grain therefore not much money, but they had a good life together. Lee practiced soil conservation and diversified farming by plowing properly and planting cotton on small alternating areas for soil building.
Lee owned 6 mules, which were used for farming, hauling, and transportation before we owned a car. He was especially proud of four of the largest mules in the county, and when he drove them to town people stopped and took notice.
Maude and Lee had two children, a girl, Mary Ruth and a boy, Yearby Henry.
Maude and Lee had many friends, they were good citizens, good neighbors, and most of all they were good Christians. They were members of Godfrey Chapel Methodist Church where Maude taught a Sunday school class. Lee was Sunday School Superintendent, was a Steward, and led the singing. They were also interested in community affairs, Maude was active in one of the first Home Demonstration Clubs in the county and worked with girls in the 4-H club. She did much home canning and was a wonderful cook. Lee served as a trustee of the Wright School District during a building program and at several other times.
Maude Ward died February 4, 1934. Lee died March 16, 1953, they are both buried in the Clark Cemetery, northeast of Weatherford.
Written by Mary Ruth Ward-Sharpe (daughter of Lee and Maude)