WARE, James P. - Putnam

James P. WARE is a stock and land trader in Washington Township, Parke County and is a son of William and Nancy Sanders Ware.  He was born in Shelby County Kentucky February 19, 1817.  William Ware, the father of our subject was born in Virginia and began for himself when quite young.  Although born and reared in the very midst of slavery, he never was a slaver and was greatly opposed to its extension or even its existence.  He married in Virginia and moved to Kentucky, where he lived until coming to Indiana, where he settled in Parke County 1836. His wife was born in Virginia and died in 1844.  Mr. and Ms. Ware reared a large family of 11 children of which the subject is the youngest and he and his sister, Catherine are the only surviving.  On coming to Parke County the father of our subject purchased 80 acres of well-improved land in Green Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred 4years after the decease of his wife. He was of the old Whig party and with his wife was a zealous worker in the Baptist Church.  James P. Ware remained at home with his parents until he reached 27 years. At this juncture, he married a lady by the name of Mary a, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Daniel Dawney.  Mrs. Ware was born in Putnam County Indiana having for playmates in childhood Indiana children for her parents were early settlers there.  Mr. Ware and wife began their married life with only a few hundred dollars so were compelled to rent for a few years. At the end of this time he was enabled to purchased 80 acres of improved land in Green Township, this county on which they reside 5 years and then bought a 1/4 section in what is now Howard Township.  After paying for this he invested in 48 acres, same township, subsequently coming to Washington Township, where he purchased 200 acres of the very best farm land, for which he paid $11,000.  Mr. Ware has not been exempt from the hardships of life, for he started to make his own way in the world with no means whatever but he never allowed disappointment or discouragement to cloud his hope of ultimate success and this has, without doubt, been a great factor in his successful life.  He has sold his large farm, on which he spent so many years of toil, and is now enjoying a quiet, peaceful life in Marshall, realizing to the fullest extent the necessity of young men being early taught to gain their livelihood by the work of this own hands.  He has lived in Marshall for the past 6 years, providing liberally for his wife and daughter, Sarah.  The children who died were Jane, and William R.  The surviving are: Susan who is the wife of William Skeeters; Eliza C, wife of George Hobson; Mattie who is married to John Cannon and Morton C, who married Lennie M. Cannon.  Mrs. Ware is a staunch, Republican in politics and is a well posted and intelligent man who has profited by the broad culture obtained from careful newspaper reading. The Baptist Church finds in Mr. and Mrs. Ware active and influential members. Mr. Ware has been very successful and is abundantly able, financially to retire from business. –

-- transcribed by kbz