Ward, Eber B., 1811-1875

In 1807 Eber Ward married Sally Potter (d. 1818). Together they had four children, including Emily (1809- ) and Eber Brock (1811-1875). At various times, the family lived in Upper Canada, Salem (Ohio), Detroit, Bois Blanc, and Mackinac (Mich.). Eber served as the lighthouse keeper at Bois Blanc, 1830-1831. As a young man, Eber B. Ward worked with his uncle, Samuel Ward, a prominent shipbuilder in Marine City (Mich.). Eventually they became partners in "Ward's Line of Steamers" and successfully built a number of steamboats. Capt. Eber B. returned to Detroit in 1850. He became wealthy because of his steamboat business which transported lumber and iron between Buffalo (N.Y.) and N.Y. (city). He also had large investments in pine lands, mining, and railroads in Mich., Iowa, Wis., Ohio, Ariz., and Tex. In 1837, Eber B. married Mary McQueen, with whom he had seven children. Later, after divorcing Mary, Eber B. married Kate Lyon, with whom he had two more children. On Jan. 2, 1875 Eber B. died in Detroit of apoplexy. His devoted sister, Emily, outlived him. (Information from the collection.).

From the description of Family papers, 1807-1875. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 45130301

In English.

Eber Brock Ward, son of Eber and Sally (Potter) Ward, was born, Dec. 25, 1811, at Applegath's Mills, Ont. He came with his father to Belle River in 1822, and in 1830 rent with him to the Bois Blanc Lighthouse. Here he began his long and brilliant business career by catching and salting fish for the market. In 1933 he entered the employ of his Uncle Samuel Ward, who was constructing the first boats of the famous Ward Line. Soon Eber Brock became a partner, furnishing the venturesome spirit needed in the enterprise. His business interests expanded to include foundries, railroads, glass factories, mines, timber lands, etc. He produced in his Wyandotte mills in September, 1864, the first Bessemer steel manufactured in America, and at his Chicago rolling mills on May 24, 1865, rolled the first Bessemer steel rail. On July 24, 1837 he married Mary Mcqueen, and they had seven children; they were divorced, and on Mar. 11, 1869 he married Kate Lyon, by whom he had a son, Eber Brock, and a daughter, Clara. He died in Detroit, Jan. 2, 1875 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery. (from Mich. Pio. Colls., XXI, 340ff ; MS/Ward Family ; Ward Genealogy) (blue index cards)

From the description of Eber B. Ward papers, 1849-1871 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 608032903