James Noble Ward was born in September 1823, the son of Charles Ward and Catherine Taylor Lindsay. He had five siblings who survived to maturity: Catherine Lindsay (b. 1821), Charles Americus (1825-1858), Marcus Lindsay (b. 1829), Laura Amelia (b. 1831), and Ralph Shorter (b. 1839). Catherine Lindsay Ward married Reuben C. Shorter. James Noble Ward entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1841 and graduated in 1845. He was a brevet lieutenant with the 6th Infantry Regiment at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and later served with the 3rd Infantry Regiment. Ward was commended for his conduct at the Battle of Cerro Gordo and was eventually promoted to captain. On January 5, 1856, he married Mary E. Backus. James Noble Ward died on December 6, 1858.
From the guide to the James Noble Ward journal, Ward, James Noble journal, 1843-1844, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
