| John Ware |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT JOHN WARE | |
| people from calgary | |
| ware, john | |
| 1905 deaths | |
| american immigrants to canada | |
| black canadians | |
| pre-confederation alberta people | |
| settlers of canada | |
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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 Horse s. He is credited with bringing the first cattle to Southern Alberta in 1876 , helping to create that province's important Ranching industry. 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. Several geographical features near the Wares' ranch are named in their honour:
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
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