Eber Brock Ward (December 25, 1811 – January 2, 1875) was an American industrialist, iron and steel manufacturer, and shipbuilder.
He started as an owner of steamship interests, and later accumulated woodlands, as well as lands that contained iron ore, copper and silver.
His investments would ultimately include newspapers, railroads, glass manufacturing, banking, and insurance companies.
[3][4] While in Waterford, Pennsylvania, Ward's mother fell ill and died[4] and the family moved to Detroit.
[4] There he was involved in the shipbuilding business, and his operations participated in the construction of steamers and sailing ships; among them were the Arctic, Atlantic, B.F. Wade, Detroit, General Harrison, Huron, Montgomery, Ocean, Pacific, Planet, Samuel Ward, Caspian, Champion, and Pearl.
[6][7][8] Starting around 1852, Ward acquired timberlands along the Pere Marquette River in Lake County, near the Ludington area.
He was elected president of the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Company in 1860,[5] and was the first to use rail made of Bessemer steel.