George Ward was a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Loretta was from the West Liberty-West Branch, Iowa area.

They originally settled on a farm near Centerdale, Iowa before moving to West Liberty in 1890.

The Wards owned one of the first automobiles in town and hired Frank Pertlick as a chauffeur and gardener.

The Ward House is a 2½ story, frame structure executed in the Queen Anne style.

A barn on the property that housed the carriage and horses was replaced by a smaller garage at some point.