otiward.htmd

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., November 24, 1932, page 1

TIMOTHY WARD, EARLY PIONEER IS CALLED

The thinning ranks of the old Klickitat pioneers lost another member in the death of Timothy Ward, an early settler of the Blockhouse section, last Monday evening, November 21, 1932. The infirmities accompanying his eighty-two years finally overcame a rugged constitution. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, October 6, 1850, and received a thorough schooling in his native land, finishing his studies at the college of the Irish Christian Brothers in Galway City, with which the home training many are inclined to call "old fashioned" in the present, fitted him well for an intelligent progressive life in matters spiritual and material.
Impressed by the reports coming from the rapidly expanding young republic of the U.S.A. he decided to cast his lot with the thousands of his countrymen and seek a home in America. The young lady of his choice, Belinnda J. Kilkelly, was will to accompany him, and they were married before leaving Ireland. Destiny evidently planned for them a home in the lovely Klickitat Valley, not far from the Columbia River in the State of Washington, for her, in the historical spot near the fort erected by the U.S. regular troops and their conquest of the rebellious Yakima Indians in the early 50s. He homesteaded over fifty years ago and added to his holdings by pre-emotion claim. His brother Nicholas and wife, a sister of Mrs. Timothy's, settled near them. Four children, all boys, were born in the Timothy Ward family: Timothy, Jr., and Joseph, both recently deceased, and Peter H., of Wapato, in the Yakima Valley, and Michael F., who lived on the old homestead with his father, as did also a nephew, M.J. Kilkelly. Timothy's wife preceded him by less than three years. General farming and sheep raising were Timothy's principal occupations during his long residence in the Klickitat Valley.
At home, in church, whereever folks gather to exchange friendly greetings or transact business the presence of Timothy Ward will be sadly missed. He has gone the way of all flesh, but his spirit lives, and the remembrance of his active, progressive nature, friendliness, sterling honest, consideration for others, -- even in the last hours of his extreme suffering unwilling to trouble the devoted members of his family - faith in God, country and fellow men, has not been lost. Relatives and friends cannot forget, nor will the example of his determination to do and accomplish in all things good be overlooked by those who seek incentives from the fountainhead, our American pioneers, to preserve the ever outstanding American traditions.
The funeral services will be held Friday morning at 10 o'clock, from Holy Trinity Catholic church, Father Edwards officiating, interment following in the Catholic cemetery.