Marcus Lawrence Ward

Marcus Lawrence Ward ( born November 9, 1812 in Newark, New Jersey, † April 25, 1884 ibid ) was an American politician and the 26th Governor of the State of New Jersey.

After leaving school he worked in a candle factory, which belonged to his family. He was also involved in banking, and had an active part in the founding of the Newark Library Association. In 1860 he was sent as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, and four years later he was holding office again. A year later, on November 7, 1865, the Republican was elected governor; he had lost to Joel Parker the previous election. During his tenure, he was concerned above all to improve the conditions in the prisons of the state. From 1866 to 1868 he was the Republican National Committee before the party organization of the Republicans.

After his term as governor to Ward decided to remain active as a politician. In 1873 he won the election for Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. This mandate he kept occupied for two years; a re-election attempt failed. He died in 1884 and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery -.