The Ward family moved to Jericho and resided on the farm now known as the John McLaughlin farm for five years. Byron C. Ward enlisted and served in the army during the War of the Rebellion. He was a successful lawyer, practicing at Prairie City and Des Moines, Iowa, and is a G.A.R. man. He was born November 28, 1838 in Underhill, Vermont. He was a student at the Vermont University when the Civil War began. He enlisted as a private in Company G, Second Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry and was promoted through the grades and commissioned as First Lieutenant. Soon after he was detailed as Adjutant of his regiment and served in that capacity till the close of the war. He participated in such battles as Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness and other important engagements. He immigrated to Iowa in 1869, and soon after was admitted to the bar. He was elected to the Legislature from Jasper County as a member of the Twentieth General Assembly. He moved to Des Moines in 1892. He was the Senior Vice-Department Commander of the G.A.R. from June, 1910 to June, 1911.