Elijah Ward

Who was Elijah Ward?

Elijah Ward was a U.S. Congressman during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era.

Ward was born in Sing Sing, New York. He pursued classical studies, engaged in commercial pursuits in New York City and at the same time attended the law department of New York University. He was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice in New York City. He was judge advocate general of the State 1853-1855, and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1856.

He was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress, but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858. He was subsequently elected to the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Congresses, but again was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1864. He resumed the practice of law in New York City, and then was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress. He was chairman, Committee on Commerce. Ward was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1876.

He died in Roslyn, Nassau County, New York; interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York City.