John Ware

John Ware (c. 1845 – 12 September 1905) was an African-American born into slavery in South Carolina, or, according to another source, in northern Texas. After the American Civil War he became a cowboy and worked his way into Canada. He is remembered for his ability to ride and train horses. He is credited with bringing the first cattle to southern Alberta in 1876, helping to create that province's important ranching industry. [ [http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/index.cfm?Page=27 Government of Alberta] - About - History]

Like any folk hero there are a wide range of tales about his ability to eat, ride, shoot, and contribute to Western culture. The local First Nations' people called him "Matoxy Sex Apee Quin" (bad black white man) because of his courage and enormous strength, and wondered if he had connections to the spirit world.

John arrived on a cattle drive from Idaho to western Canada in 1882. Rather than returning after the end of the drive he stayed on in Calgary and married. By 1900, he and his wife, Mildred, had five children. He moved from the Calgary area to a spot north of the village of Duchess, Alberta, beside the Red Deer River. In 1902 his first home was destroyed by the spring flood. He rebuilt on higher ground overlooking a stream, now called Ware Creek. Three years later Mildred died of pneumonia in the spring; John was killed in the fall following a riding accident. His funeral was reported to be the largest held in the city.

He is the subject of a biography, "John Ware's Cow Country" by J. W. Grant MacEwan (Edmonton: Institute of Applied Art, 1960. Second edition, Saskatoon: Western Producer Prairie Books, 1973. Third edition, Vancouver: Greystone Books, 1995.)

Several geographical features near the Wares' ranch are named in their honour:
* [http://geonames2.nrcan.gc.ca/cgi-bin/v8/sima_unique_v8?english?IAMXS?C John Ware Ridge] (formerly [http://geonames2.nrcan.gc.ca/cgi-bin/v8/sima_unique_v8?english?IAAQN?H Nigger John Ridge] )
* [http://geonames2.nrcan.gc.ca/cgi-bin/v8/sima_unique_v8?english?IAOTC?C Mount Ware]
* [http://geonames2.nrcan.gc.ca/cgi-bin/v8/sima_unique_v8?english?IAOTB?C Ware Creek]

None of John and Mildred's children have present-day descendants. Their last surviving daughter, Nettie, died on her ninety-sixth birthday in March of 1989.

Trivia

*Calgary has a Junior High School named, 'John Ware School' in southwestern Calgary.

*Diamond Joe White, a musician from Alberta, released a song titled "High Rider: The John Ware Story"

References

External links

* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008450 "Ware, John"] at "The Canadian Encyclopedia"
* [http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/featured/dinosaur/johnware.asp "Who Was John Ware?"] from Alberta Parks
* [http://www.glennjlea.de/EN/John_Ware.php "John Ware - Canada's Legendary Cowboy"] "Personal account and history of John Ware and his family, including his daughter Mildred Ware."