Description:Mr William H Ward is popular with all classes of men. For over thirty years his has been a familiar face to the generality of Birmingham’s citizens and he has in his professional capacity contributed in no small degree to our street architecture. He has been responsible for four theatres in the town and district, the “Stork” and “Woolpack” hotels, the Great Western Arcade, some three dozen or more of the chief business premises in Corporation Street and the vicinity, the Workhouse Infirmary, the Smallpox Hospital at Little Bromwich, for the Health Committee, the offices “Daily Argus”, the Central Club, the Salvation Army Headquarters, the Colonnade, the palatial Parish Offices in Edmund Street and a large number of other buildings and residences, one of the latter being the mansion and stabling at Dunsmore, for Mr P A Muntz, M.P., extensive alterations at Netherseal Hall, for the late Col. Robertson and at Maxstoke Castle for the late Charles Featherstone Dilke.
He was born at Hamilton, North Briton, on December 31st, 1844, and has therefore just entered upon his 53rd year. He was educated partly at Glasgow and later at Hereford, but began the real business of his life in Birmingham when articled to Mr James Cranston, of Oxford and later of Birmingham, who had an extensive practice in church architecture in Herefordshire and the neighbourhood. Mr Ward speedily displayed that shrewdness and keen professional insight which has since stood him in good stead and had the option eventually of entering into partnership with his employer. This he declined. He was confident of his ability to push his way single-handed and the result has fully justified his action. It was not long before a considerable share of local work was entrusted to him and this proved to be but the stepping stone to more important engagements. In the variety and extent of his work he has achieved wonders and his services have long been in constant demand as an expert in the building of workhouses, infirmaries and the like institutions. To such an extent is this the case that within the last few months he has been employed by the respective Boards of Guardians of Birmingham, Bradford, Sheffield, Doncaster, Wolverhampton, Brentford and Stockport. He acted as assessor in plans for the new workhouse about to be erected at Nottingham and is retained by the Guardians of that town as expert and consultant. His practice involves a great deal of travelling and puts a heavy strain upon even his robust constitution. To catch the early train to the North and attend meetings in several towns, afterwards journeying to London and from thence home again in the space of two days, being a frequent occurrence.
It is not only as architect however that Mr Ward is known to the public. Years ago he gained a reputation as an all round “sport” and athlete and many of his old friends will easily recall his bouts with the gloves, running and jumping performances and the good service he did for the local teams in the cricket field. Quite recently he showed that despite the eighteen stone with which he now brings down the scales, he is a useful wielder of the willow. A match had been arranged to take place on the County Ground between a team of old players and friends. Mr Chatrain of the Royal Hotel, captained one of the teams and Mr Ward the other and the latter gentleman feels some satisfaction in the reflection that he was still able to carry his bat right through an innings, compiling twenty-seven runs. He is a keen fisherman, but Mr Ward’s own particular hobby is shooting. This has always had a fascination for him and there are few sportsmen today who can walk up their game better or bring down a “right and left” much cleaner. The love of sport, which is characteristic of Mr Ward was imbibed very early in life. As a boy he frequently visited friends at Draycott Hall, Derbyshire, and there in company with the late Marquis of Hastings, then a youth himself, and a number of other choice spirits, passed many a happy hour away in wild fowling on the River Derwent.
From sport to theatricals is a natural and easy transition. Through he has never faced the footlights himself, Mr Ward is on close terms of friendship with many distinguished men and women who have, and at Stafford House, Handsworth, where he resides with his family, he has a superb collection of drawings, photographs and knick-knacks of all kinds reminiscent of theatrical guests. An album of “theatrical pals” contains admirable portraits of genial John L Toole, the late J B Buckstone, Lionel Brough, Charles Collette, the late David James, Tom Thorne, Hermann Vezin, the late Marie Litton, Mr and Mrs Chippendale, Mrs Rousby, Mr and Mrs Willie Edouin, Arthur Roberts, and the late James Rodgers of the Prince of Wales Theatre. Then there is the ‘snuggery’, a cosy little study, the four walls of which are adorned with portraits and caricatures of celebrities in widely different callings. The well-known features of The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain are finely portrayed and grouped around are drawings and photographs of noted actors, sportsmen and artists. An “original” by Phil May is in that versatile artist’s happiest mood and there is much of similar interest. A handsome shooting case, lined with rifles and guns, stands by the door and from an oaken frame near by, the good-humoured face of Tom Crib, the celebrated pugilist, beams on all within the room; whilst the classic form of W G Grace is seen appropriately enough making a determined stand at the wicket.
In the comparatively few leisure moments that fall to his share, Mr Ward amuses himself in his garden and Stafford House – one of the handsomest and best appointed of our suburban residences – has great natural advantages in this direction. The house lies back from the main road and in the summer time is almost entirely closed, so far as the frontage is concerned, by the green foliage of stately trees. From the garden entrance looking beyond the well-trimmed lawn and gravelled paths, the country is as far as the Barr Beacon, which on a clear day, can be distinctly seen unobstructed by a single building. The view is delightful and would be difficult to beat within the same distance of Birmingham.
In politics Mr Ward is a great admirer of the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain but does not blindly adhere to any set formula. He is not a party man. Probably he feels much more interest in the mysteries of Freemasonry. He is a Past Provincial Grand Officer in the “Arch” and the “Craft” and was Master of the St James’ Lodge twenty years ago.
We may add that Mr Ward’s eldest son who has just left Rugby School, is following in his father’s footsteps professionally and also in his love of sport etc. With a host of friends and by successes in the past to spur him on in future undertakings, Mr Ward ought to be a happy man and we are sure that our readers will join us in the wish that the New Year upon which we are entering will be as prosperous with him as any of the years that have passed.