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John Ware, Black cowboy of the Canadian West

John Ware with his wife Mildred and children Robert and Nettie, 1896.
John Ware with his wife Mildred and children Robert and Nettie, 1896. John Ware and Family · Unknown authorUnknown author · Photo source · Photo licence: Public domain. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.
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John Ware (c. 1850–1905), a Black cowboy who had been enslaved, entered the District of Alberta in 1882 with a trail crew driving cattle to the Bar U Ranch. Despite racism and rough frontier conditions, he built his own ranch with his wife Mildred and their children, and his skill and generosity earned him a prominent place in the history of the Canadian West.

Scope & context

His ranching career as recognized in his designation, not a full biography.

Sources behind this record

1
John Ware (circa 1850–1905) National Historic Person ↗

Parks Canada

Historical importance; plaque text