Ward Brothers Were True Waterfowl Artisans

Great article from Delta about the Ward Brothers -

Ward Brothers Were True Waterfowl Artisans

Lem Ward, the younger brother of the most famous duo of duck decoys carvers in North America, wasn't supposed to lead a productive life. In fact, doctors advised his parents that their sickly infant might not even live very long. Born in 1896 with a deformed left arm and a crippled hand with only three fingers, Lem was plagued by chronic bronchitis and fevers.

Remarkably, Lem's health improved as he grew, although it was apparent he would never possess the physical strength necessary be a waterman on Chesapeake Bay like his father, Travis Ward. At that time, most of the men born in Crisfield, Md., became watermen, a term for the hearty crab and oyster fishermen who lived off the bounty of the Bay. Many watermen were also market gunners, shooting train carloads of ducks destined for fine restaurants in large cities along the Atlantic seaboard.

As a relatively young man, Travis Ward gave up his life on the water, returning to town to start a barber business. He would mentor his sons, Steve and Lem, so they could learn a trade and be able to provide for themselves.

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