WARD, Marcus Lawrence, governor of New Jersey, born in Newark, New Jersey, 9 November, 1812; died there, 25 April, 1884. He received a good education and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was originally a Whig, aided in forming the Republican party, and was a delegate to the National Republican conventions in Chicago in 1860 and in Baltimore in 1864. During the civil war he frequently visited the camps and battle-fields to alleviate suffering, and for his many services was called the Soldiers' Friend. He devised a system by which communication could be transmitted without cost from the soldier on the field to his family, and also established a free pension bureau, which he maintained at his personal expense. In recognition of his patriotism the government gave to the hospital that he equipped in Newark the name of the " United States Ward hospital," which after the war was converted into a home for disabled soldiers. In 1862 he was defeated as a candidate for governor of New Jersey, but he held this office in 1865-'8. In 1866 he was chosen chairman of the National Republican committee. He was afterward elected to congress as a Republican, serving from 1 December, 1873, till 3 March, 1875. In the latter year he declined the office of Indian commissioner. Governor Ward was an early member of the New Jersey historical society, of the Newark library association, and the New Jersey art union, aided education in the state, improved the condition of the state prison, and was an active philanthropist.