John Ware (abt. 1850 - 1905)

Born about 12 Dec 1850 in United States

Husband of Frances Jane Mildred (Lewis) Ware — married 29 Feb 1892 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Died 11 Sep 1905 at about age 54 in Brooks, Newell County No. 4, Alberta, Canada

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Biography

John Ware is Notable.

John Ware was an influential Canadian-American cowboy.

Birth: c. 1845 - 1850.^{[1] [2][3][4]} See research notes below. Death: 11 Sep 1905 at Brooks, Alberta, Canada, 12 days after Alberta entered into confederation. Interment: Union Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.^[2]

John was admired as one of the best cowboys in the West, even during times of extreme racism and discrimination.

"John Ware, ex-slave from the south and for 25 years a rancher and cowhand in the West, owner of a thousand head of the finest range cattle on the Red Deer River, was killed today by a horse stumbling and falling on him, killing him instantly. Deceased was 60 years old and leaves a family. Ware was one of the most widely known ranchers in this district. He was famous as a roper and rider, and always won first money in any of the competitions he entered. He was a man of prodigious strength, and with apparent ease he could pick up an 18 months old steer and throw him ready for branding. Any person who has tried to throw a six months old steer will realize that this feat is no small one. Ware first came to Canada with Fred Stimson and the Bar U cattle. He was foreman of the large Macpherson horse ranche and later on of the Quorn Ranche on Sheep Creek. He started for himself on Sheep Creek and ran a ranche there for nine years removing to the Red Deer, where he has since lived. His wife died this spring." ^[5]

John Ware was born into slavery on a South Carolina cotton plantation about 1845. After the Civil War ended, John left his father, mother and ten brothers and sisters to make his way out West. In Fort Worth, Texas, John found a job with Murphy Blandon and his son on their horse ranch, where he learned the art of being a rancher and cowboy. In 1879, John left to pursue his dream of riding on a cattle drive, which was going to Montana, the 'far North' at that time, eventually making his way to the great grass plains of the 'Territories', now Alberta.

The 1901 Canada Census shows John Ware living in Millarville, Alberta with his wife Mildred J. and his children Amanda I. (8), Robert L. (6), and the twins Robert K. and Mildred J. (2). According to the census record he was born on 12 Dec 1850 in the U.S. and immigrated to Canada in 1882. He became a naturalized Canadian in 1898.^[6]

John Ware was known for his superb horsemanship, astounding strength, generosity, sense of honour, and good nature. He was respected and well-liked by all who knew him. His funeral in 1905 was the biggest that Calgary had seen.

John Ware has several namesakes in his honour, including John Ware Ridge, Mount Ware, Ware Creek, John Ware High School, and the John Ware building at S.A.I.T.

Research Notes

There is no record of John's birth. Lt.-Governor J. W. Grant MacEwan, Author, claimed John was born at Georgetown, South Carolina on a plantation, although on his marriage certificate, John stated he was born in Tennessee. Additionally, the Dictionary of Canadian Biography states John was born in Northern Texas.

It is unknown where the birth date shown on Find a Grave of 14 May 1850 came from.

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia:John_Ware_(cowboy)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Find A Grave: Memorial #122746083.
3. ↑ David H. Breen, “WARE, JOHN,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 13, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed November 22, 2023, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/ware_john_13E.html.
4. ↑ http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/john-ware/
5. ↑ Obituary: Calgary Herald Sept 12, 1905. News from Brooks, North West Territories.
6. ↑ "Canada Census, 1901," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHRN-NX2 : 23 February 2021), John Warr, Alberta, The Territories, Canada; citing p. 2, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

See also:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20080403012959/http://www.glennjlea.de/EN/John_Ware.php
• Cattle for Tender: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76709990/
• He was a great man, 1953: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76714012/
• 1970 Memorial at Millarville: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76713717/
• "Legendary Black cowboy and rancher John Ware recognized as person of national historic significance." CBC News, June 6, 2022.

Books About John Ware

• Breen, David H - The Canadian Prairie West and the Ranching Frontier 1874-1924. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1983.
• High River Pioneers’ and Old Timers’ Association. Leaves from the Medicine Tree: A History of the Area Influenced by the Tree, and Biographies of Pioneers and Old Timers Who Came under Its Spell Prior to 1900. Lethbridge, Alberta: Lethbridge Herald, 1960.
• Lt.-Governor J. W. Grant MacEwan - John Ware’s Cow Country. 1st Greystone edition. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1995, c.1973. D&M Publishers Incorporated, Dec 1, 2009 - Biography & Autobiography - 200 pages

• In the book "John Ware's Cow Country," Grant MacEwan captures the energy, strength and gritty determination of the now legendary John Ware. Born and raised a slave in the United States, Ware made his way to the foothills of western Canada in 1882. With his talent for ranching, he built up a sizable cattle operation of his own and eventually become one of the most famous cowboys in Canadian history.

Children's Books About John Ware

• Breon, Robin and Vera Cudjoe. The Story of John Ware. Illustrated by Mary McLoughlin. Toronto: Carib-Can Communications, 1994.
• Leeder, Terry and Deborah Drew-Brook-Cormack. Brand 9999. Illustrated by Deborah Drew-Brook-Cormack. Toronto: Dundurn Press, 1979.