David E. Ward is a prominent figure in Dell Rapids, known for his role as the efficient and popular postmaster, as well as the editor and publisher of the Dell Rapids Times. Born in Darlington, Wisconsin, in 1864, Ward embarked on a successful career in the printing industry after completing his education. In 1892, he became the sole owner of the Dell Rapids Times, transforming it into a respected local publication that also exerted influence in political affairs. Ward’s unwavering allegiance to the Republican Party and his active involvement in various conventions have furthered its cause. His contributions to his hometown have earned him the respect and esteem of those who know him.
DAVID E. WARD, the efficient and popular postmaster at Dell Rapids, Minnehaha County, and also editor and publisher of the Dell Rapids Times, is one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of this thriving town and is well entitled to representation in this work. Mr. Ward was born in Darlington, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, on the 7th of August, 1864, being a son of William and Barbara (Cook) Ward, the former of whom was born in Leicester, England, and the latter in Plainfield, New Jersey, while they took up their residence in Wisconsin about 1851, where he was engaged in farming until 1885 when he moved to Cherokee County, Iowa, and farmed for two years. He then moved to Larned, Iowa, and then to Sioux City, Iowa. In 1899, he moved to Dell Rapids, where both parents now reside.
The subject of this brief review received his educational discipline in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of twenty-one years, he entered upon an apprenticeship at the printer’s trade, in which he became proficient in due course of time, following the same as a vocation for a number of years. In 1887, he came to Dell Rapids, where he followed his trade until 1892 when he became associated with his brother, Henry W., in the purchase of the Dell Rapids Times, which they conducted until 1901 when he purchased his brother’s interest in the enterprise and has since been the sole owner of the business. He has made the paper an excellent exponent of local interests and one of no little influence in political affairs. The Times is a six-column quarto and is published on Friday of each week, while the plant is well-equipped not only for the proper handling of the newspaper work but also has an excellent job department, in which the best class of work is turned out. In politics, Mr. Ward has accorded an unwavering allegiance to the Republican Party from the time of attaining his majority, and both personally and through the columns of his paper, he has done much to further its cause in a local way. He has been a delegate to various state, county, and congressional conventions in South Dakota. In 1894, he was appointed city auditor of the city of Dell Rapids, in which capacity he served nearly two years, while at all times he has shown a lively interest in all that makes for the progress and material prosperity of his home town, county, and state, while commanding the unreserved esteem of those who know him. In December 1899, Mr. Ward was appointed postmaster at Dell Rapids, of which position he has since remained incumbent, having received his commission on February 16, 1900, and being reappointed January 7, 1904. Fraternally he is affiliated with Dell Rapids Lodge, No. 8, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 41, Knights of Pythias, and Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 262, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In Dell Rapids, on the 10th of September, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ward to Miss Pearl A. Bryant, daughter of Clinton T. and Orilla Bryant, of this place, and they have one child, Howard E., who was born on the 28th of December, 1892.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.