Notable Preston Countian

Arzana Mae Talkington Ward

1880–1953 (birth year under review)

Arthurdale’s first postmistress, whose service connected Reedsville and the New Deal homestead community. Her story is documented through federal postal records, newspaper material, and family contributions.

Arzana Ward from Reedsville to Arthurdale

Arzana Mae Talkington Ward was born on June 15, 1880, in Center Point, Doddridge County, West Virginia. In December 1909, she married John Francis Ward in Kingwood. They had four children, and John died in 1930. Her postal service connected Reedsville and Arthurdale, where she became the first postmistress in 1935. She died in West Union on April 19, 1953, at age 72, and is buried in Reedsville Cemetery in Preston County. [5]

The federal postmaster register lists her at Reedsville with the date May 13, 1918. A report in The West Virginian on June 17, 1918, also named her among the West Virginia postmasters whose commissions had been issued. June 17 is the newspaper’s publication date, rather than the appointment date recorded in the register. [1] [2]

Other postmasters appear in the Reedsville records before Ward’s later appointment at Arthurdale. James D. Huber follows her in the earlier register, and the later card records Huber and Lyman G. Emerson. These records establish her earlier Reedsville service but do not support an uninterrupted tenure there until Arthurdale. [1] [3]

When Arthurdale’s post office was established in 1935, Ward became its first postmistress. Its register records her commission being signed and mailed and her assumption of charge on September 3, 1935. A later appointment sequence appears in 1944, and the register records her retirement on April 30, 1948. [4]

Newspaper notice naming Arzana M. Ward of Reedsville among West Virginia postmasters whose commissions had been issued. — The West Virginian, June 17, 1918, page 7, reported the issuance of a postmaster’s commission to Arzana M. Ward at Reedsville. Clipping accessed through Newspapers.com; located by Shirley Radabaugh.

Newspaper photograph of Arzana Mae Talkington Ward standing outside a building, with a caption identifying her as Arthurdale’s first postmistress. — Arzana Mae Talkington Ward, identified in the accompanying newspaper caption as Arthurdale’s first postmistress. Clipping contributed by Nikki Ward Haines. The printed photograph credit reads “Photo courtesy of Sandra Ward Cummings and family.” The newspaper title and publication date have not been established from this clipping.

Family information and source materials contributed by Nikki Ward Haines, Arzana Ward’s great-granddaughter.

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Sources and research notes for Arzana Ward

U.S. Post Office Department postmaster register, Reedsville line, printed pages 565–566. National Archives and Records Administration. View register image 30439_065525-00460.jpg.
The West Virginian, June 17, 1918, page 7. Postal-business notice. View newspaper clipping.
U.S. Post Office Department postmaster record, Reedsville. National Archives and Records Administration. View Reedsville card 30439_065525-00480.jpg.
U.S. Post Office Department postmaster record, Arthurdale. National Archives and Records Administration. View the Arthurdale register and appointment details.
Biographical details provided by Nikki Ward Haines, Arzana Ward’s great-granddaughter. The summary gives June 15, 1880, as Ward’s birth date; the newspaper photograph’s printed caption gives June 15, 1890. The biography follows the supplied summary, with the discrepancy retained here for further verification. The clipping’s newspaper title and publication date remain unidentified.