Theron S. Ward, Noted Pioneer, Succumbs At 86

Theron S. (Ted) Ward, 86, pioneer Lewiston merchant and civic leader, died Tuesday afternoon at a Seattle nursing home, where he had been a patient since last September, according to word received here yesterday.

Mr. Ward had been in ill health since 1948 when he fell and fractured his hip. He had been a patient at the Nelson nursing home, Lewiston Orchards, before going to Seattle.

Came Here in 1895

Mr. Ward was born at St. Louis, Mo., April 7, 1865, and came to Lewiston in 1895. His first employment was with the Lewiston Land & Water co., laying out tracts for small farmers in the area where Clarkston and Clarkston Heights are now located.

He later became a bookkeeper for the J. Alexander Mercantile Co. at Oakesdale, Wash. He returned here in 1897 to be bookkeeper for the Alexander store at Lewiston.

In 1902, Mr. Ward became a partner in the Alexander store at Lewiston. He later purchased the store and operated it for ten years.

Mr. Ward sold out his interest in the store in the early 1920s, to Talbott, Wagner & Spekker.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Ward was a director of the North Idaho Children's home. He served as treasurer of the board of directors until ill health forced his resignation.

Mr. Ward was a member of the Masonic lodge for many years and aided in plans for the construction of the temple here. He was made an honorary 33rd degree Mason in 1935. He was a communicant of the Congregational Presbyterian (Federated) church at Lewiston.

He was married Nov. 15, 1905, to Cora Coburn, member of a pioneer Lewiston family. Their home was at 330 4th Ave.

Mrs. Ward is now residing with a daughter, Virginia McQuarrie, Seattle.

Other survivors are two daughters, Dorothy Ward, Detroit; Jeanne Grindall, Seattle; and a son, Paul Ward, Berkeley, Calif.; and seven grandchildren. Another son, Theron Ward, Jr., was killed in action during World war II.