J. Berry Ware, who was a prominent citizen of Wilmore, died on Wednesday evening of this week in a hospital in Fairfield, Iowa, where he went a week or so before his death from his old home in Farmington, Iowa, to which place he went last fall. He had been in failing health for some time, having been a sufferer from diabetes.Mr. Ware had been mayor of Wilmore since the town was incorporated nearly eight years ago. He took a prominent part in all community affairs and he will be missed by a large circle of friends in this county. He owned some property in Wilmore and several quarters of land near that city, also some land near Protection.
At the time of his death Mr. Ware lacked but three days of being 68 years of age. He was unmarried. He went to Iowa last fall for the purpose of spending the winter there.
The Western Star, July 30, 1920. J. Berry Ware, Earl Ferrin and Wm. Barlow left for the Wichita oil fields Tuesday morning to look over a business proposition in the AI pool.
Wilmore/Powell Township Cemetery "The Wilmore Cemetery Association was formed on September 12, 1913. The cemetery's land was purchased from John Bell. Located on a hill north of Wilmore in the southwestern quarter of S18-T31-R17, the land had already been the site of several family burials. Mayor Ware helped lay out the cemetery. He based his idea of no trees or shrubs on cemeteries he had seen in California. Lots were platted and sold for one dollar each. The cemetery was fenced in 1914. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up May 21, 1917. President was T.C. Pepperd; vice-president, J. Berry Ware; secretary-treasurer, R.O. Nevens; and directors, Robert Booth and C.E. Richardson."
-- By Harriet Richardson, Comanche County History, p. 134.
"Berry Ware is mayor of Wilmore and he requires no special permit from the city to shoot the game that flies above and skips gaily along the outskirts of town. God Almighty never created Berry to dance before a lady's mirror, but he made him a man. He stands four feet two inches in his stocking feet and weighs 140 pounds, but cooped up in that little frame is as pure a soul as ever took up its temporary abode in mortal form. Berry is a typical sport and enjoys a chase with the hounds or a day's shoot at the lakes around the town. He owns five quarter sections of land near Wilmore, but has never yet posted the sign which reads: "No Hunting." Many times he wanders out of the confines of the city limits, but always gets back in time to go down to the depot and buy an Eagle when the train comes in."
-- "When The Train Comes In", The Wichita Eagle, published before 1926, by Kent Eubank.
Red Cross Fund Oversubscribed, The Wilmore News, 28 June 1917.
The 1924 Pocket Directory of Wilmore, Kansas
Grace Kennedy, niece of J.B. Ware; sister of George F. Kennedy of Wilmore.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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