Lodge History: Durbin Ward, Civil War Officer and member of Lebanon Lodge #26.

Durbin Ward
1819 - 1886
 Member of Lebanon Lodge #26
Researched and prepared by
Bro. Patrick W. Dugan as part of the 200th 
year celebration of Lebanon Lodge #26.

Born February 11, 1819 in Augusta, Kentucky. Moved with his parents to Fayette County, Indiana where he grew up on a farm. Entered Miami University, Oxford, Ohio at age 19 staying 2 years.

Around 1840 studied law with Warren County Judge George J. Smith, Thomas Corwin, Whig and Rebublican Party Leader from Lebanon who was Past Master of Lebanon Lodge #26 and Past Grand Master of Masons in Ohio.

Admitted to Bar in 1842, Warren County Prosecuting Attorney from 1845-1851. Elected to one term in 1851 to the Ohio Legislature as a Whig. 
Lost elections to Congress as a Democrat in 1855 and Ohio Attorney General in 1858. In 1866 President Johnson appointed him U.S. District Attorney for Southern District of Ohio and married Miss Elizabeth Probasco. 1870 was elected to Ohio Senate. Founded The Lebanon Patriot, a Democrat newspaper, on January 16, 1868 which he sold in April 1878. President Ohio State Bar Association in 1883.

Durbin Ward (archive photo)

















 On December 5th, 2013 Durbin Ward 
visited Lebanon Lodge #26 in the form
of a Civil War re-enacter. He borrowed
Mr. Ward's Masonic walking stick to
complete his costume and gave 
a wonderful speech detailing Durbin 
Ward's life and service as a Union soldier
in the Civil War.

































  • 19 April 1861: At the onset of the Civil War, Durbin enlisted as a Private at age 49
  • 4 May 1861: Mustered into Co. F 12th OVI
  • 17 August 1861: Promoted to Major and Commissioned into Field and Staff, 17th OVI
  • 31 December 1862: Promoted to Lt. Colonel
  • 20 September 1863: Wounded at Chickamauga, Georgia
  • 13 November 1863: Promoted to Colonel
  • 8 November 1864: Resigned due to his wounds
  • 18 October 1865: Promoted to Brigadier General by Brevet






Durbin Ward entered the Masonic Fraternity at the Lebanon Lodge #26 in 1857. He remained a member in good standing until his death in 1886. He was never elected to any office in Lebanon Lodge according to records.

General Ward bequeathed this Masonic carved cane in his will to the Master of Lebanon Lodge. Probated July 22, 1886. An Army Lodge was named after him.










He died on May 22nd, 1886 in Lebanon at age 67. His grave is located in Lebanon Cemetery, Lot 325.





Thank you for your service, sir. It was an honor to get to "meet" you.
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