Born in Port Hope, Canada West, the only surviving son of the late George C. Ward, Registrar for Durham County, Ontario.

He was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada for Durham East in an 1885 by-election.

[1] The Ward family of Port Hope, Ontario were of English descent.

In that year he became Registrar for Durham County, Ontario and removed to Port Hope.

In later life he also held the offices of Judge of the County Court and Clerk of the Peace for the Newcastle District.