Résumé

Partner, Meyers and [Clarence R.] Ward, Architects, San Francisco, CA, 1902- .

His death certificate indicated that Ward last worked in architecture in 1936. His last work may have been for the Firestone Garage, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, CA, 1937.

In 09/1939, the Architect and Engineer said in Ward's obituary: "Clarence R. Ward, pioneer architect of San Francisco, and prominent in civic affairs some years ago, died September 10 following a brief illness. He was at one time [a] member of the firm of Meyers and Ward and was later associated with Harry Bluhme [sic]. Many of San Francisco's large building were designed by Mr. Ward, who also created the largest building of the 1915 Exposition, the Machinery Palace. He was a board member of the Exposition and later president of the State Board of Architects. Mr. Ward was a founder and architect of the Family Club, and one of the club's first presidents." (See "Clarence R. Ward," Architect and Engineer, vol. 138, no. 3, 09/1939, p. 70.)

Relocation

Clarence Richard Ward was born in Niles, MI, in the state's southwestern corner. His mother Helen Everts had also come from Niles, so at least half of his family had roots there.

By 1880, the Ward family had moved to Woodland, CA. The household included James and Helen, their children, Clarence, Myra, Estella and Anna, and Helen's sister, Fannie C. Everts (born c. 1858 in MI).

In 1898, he resided at the Hotel Saint Nicholas in San Francisco. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 114; FHL Roll Number: 977275, accessed 08/08/2024.)

Ward leased an apartment at 545 4th Street in San Francisco, according to the 1910 US Census. He lived at this address with seven other single men, six in their 30s, 1 in his 40s. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 44, San Francisco, California; Roll: T624_102; Page: 5b; Enumeration District: 0303; FHL microfilm: 1374115, accessed 08/09/2024.)

The architect lived with his wife in an apartment house at 1242 Sacramento Street by 1920. They had no children at this time. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: San Francisco Assembly District 32, San Francisco, California; Roll: T625_138; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 193, accessed 08/09/2024.)

They moved to an apartment in the building at 1910 California Street by 1930. They paid $125 per month in rent, a relatively high amount for the time. Another architect, Earle J. Osbourne, lived in the same building with his wife, daughter and cook. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0334; FHL microfilm: 2339942, accessed 08/09/2024.)

It is likely that the Depression forced Ward to retire from architecture. He and wife moved to Oakland, CA by late 1933 or early 1934, where he managed the Tudor Hall Apartments at 150 Lake Street in 1935. (See Oakland, California, City Directory, 1934, p. 810 and Oakland, California, City Directory, 1935, p. 865.) He and Evelyn continued to inhabit Apartment 107 in the building at 150 Lake Street in Apartment #107 in 1937. (See Oakland, California, City Directory, 1937, p. 890.)

Ward died at this apartment in Oakland at 150 Lake Street on 09/10/1939. He was 68 years, 8 months and 21 days old, as per his death certificate. He passed away after a two-year bout with stomach cancer that had metastasized in his body. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1895-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, accessed 08/08/2024.) He was buried in Cypress Lawn Cemetery, Colma, CA.

Parents

His father James Ward (born c. 1836-d. ) had been born in Hull, England, while his mother Helen Everts (born 1845-d. 11/16/1917 in San Jose, CA) had been born in Niles, MI. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. California, U.S., San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1895-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, accessed 08/08/2024.) James was eleven years older than Helen.

James Ward worked as a carpenter in Woodland, CA, in 1880.

Clarence Ward was the eldest of five siblings: Myra Ward, Estella Ward, Anna Ward Hastings and Evelyn Ward Holmes.

Spouse

He wed Evelyn C. Hammond (born c. 1880 in CA-d. 11/02/1943 in ) on 10/21/1917 in Santa Cruz County, CA. The 1930 US Census indicated that both of her parents had been born in MO, while the 1920 US Census showed her to have been born in KY.

Biographical Notes

San Francisco voter records for 1898 indicated that Ward, at age 27, stood 5-feet, 7-inches tall, and had a fair Caucasian complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He registered to vote on 08/15/1898 in San Francisco. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 114; FHL Roll Number: 977275, accessed 08/08/2024.)

In the post-earthquake year of 1907, Meyers and Ward ran "the busiest architectural firm in San Francisco." Architect and Engineer of California, 02/1907, p. 74.

Member, Bohemian Club, San Francisco, CA, 1906-1939. Ward joined the elite Bohemian Club in San Francisco on 11/28/1906. (See The Bohemian Club San Francisco, Certificate of Incorporation, Constitution, By-Laws and Rules, Officers, Committees, and Members, [San Francisco: Bohemian Club, 1907], p. 107.)

Member, Family Club, San Francisco, CA. As noted in his 1939 Architect and Engineer obituary, Ward was active in the Family Club of San Francisco, and had been a past president.

• Niles, MI (Architect's Birth)
  Niles, MI 49120

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