E.E. Ward Moving and Storage Co., The Oldest Black-owned Business in the U.S.

William Ward, a Black man founded E.E. Ward Moving and Transfer Co. in Columbus, Ohio.  It is the oldest Black -owned business in the United States.  The company sprung up from a site on the Underground Railroad.  William Ward’s father was a Conductor on the Underground Railroad.  In 1842 John T. Ward  began hiding runaway slaves in his Ohio home.   After the abolishment of  slavery in 1865, there was no longer a need to use the site as an Underground Railroad station.

In 1881 William Ward founded E.E. Ward Moving and Storage Co. under humble beginnings, having just two horses and a wagon. The Ward family continued to own and operate the business for more than 100 years.  William Ward’s  great grandson Eldon Ward ran the company from 1945 to 2001, before turning it over to his God son, Brian Brooks.  

Brooks has expanded operations to a full-service moving company partnering with American Van Lines.    Today E. E. Ward Moving and Storage Co. transports throughout the United States; and is recognized by the Department of Commerce as a National Legacy Business.