COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — E.E. Ward Moving & Storage is known as the oldest continuously black-owned business in the country. The local jewel is proving to make history each and every day.
For a 143 years the company has called central Ohio home. Company founder John T. Ward started the company in 1881 — 20 years after the Civil War.
I’m very, very proud, very proud. It is amazing to be able to reach out and touch that many people,” said employee Marcie Williams.
The company has quite the story to tell. E.E. Ware Moving & Storage has not only been making an impact on the community, but getting national attention in the process.
A lot of history here. A lot of history, a lot of family,” said Williams.
The company is named after the founder’s grandson, Edgar Earl, and the family’s farm was actually a stop on the underground railroad. John and his son, William, helped fugitive slaves escape north to freedom.
We started from the underground railroad. We were giving back then and trying to help then. So we’re going to continue that legacy,” Williams told ABC 6.
The company’s story was recently featured on World News Tonight.
The team at E.E. Ward told ABC 6 that the company is much more than a business, it’s a family.
We have a few husband and wife teams here, a few cousins here and that’s what makes it big. We are a big family,” said Williams.
Based in Grove City, the company has recently expanded to locations in North Carolina.
It’s special, just given the history of the company,” Williams told ABC 6.
Company leaders told ABC 6 that they are proud of the strides the company has made, and those yet to come. They indicate they have a proud tradition — one they hope to continue for the next one hundred years.
