Dr. Robert J. Ware, of Montgomery, had long been a member of the House, but had retired for several years until 1841, when he was again elected, and reelected in 1842. At both sessions he struggled manfully to obtain the aid of the State in behalf of the Montgomery and West Point Railroad. In 1841, he asked for the State’s guaranty on the bonds of the company to a certain amount, to enable the stockholders to complete the road, and thus render available the capital already invested. In this he failed; but never despairing, he renewed the subject in 1842 in a new light, making it appear that the two per cent, fund could be applied by the State, under the specific limitations of the act of Congress, in no other way than establishing the very line of improvement, of which the road formed an extensive link. He ultimately succeeded in getting an act passed, loaning to the company $120,000 of that fund, on adequate security to the State.

Dr. Ware was considered one of the most sagacious and solid members of the House. When he had an object in view, he set it boldly before his audience, and gave the whole argument in a nutshell, so that before the attention was in the least fatigued, the question was laid open in all its parts, as with the dissecting knife. He had large views of everything, and was never cramped or timid in his movements. Perhaps he had no superior in the House in public spirit, and it was the fewest number who excelled him in business intelligence. His manner of speaking was highly agreeable, and his disposition eminently stubborn. One might as well undertake to level the Andes by a zephyr as to drive him from any position. Where his judgment and free will led, there he would go in spite of the world; further, the combined universe could not force him.

From this view, it will be perceived that Dr. Ware had largely the elements of strength and firmness in his character. In 1849, he was elected to the Senate, which closed his public career. He then gave more exclusive attention to the management of his immense property. His nature was unsocial, tinged a good deal with hauteur, which made him unpopular with the masses, and shortened the period of his public life. He was a Whig in politics. From his great love of wealth, and his losses by the war, probably his spirit was crushed by the shock, and death came to his relief in 1866. At the time, however, he could not have been under sixtyfive years of age, with physical powers made for endurance to four score.

Source:  Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama, by William Garrett, Plantation Publishing Company’s Press, Atlanta Georgia, 1872, page 321

Dr. Robert J. Ware settled in the Fork about the year 1825. He was a rich, talented young bachelor, a practicing physician, a large planter, politician and prominent member of the Baptist church. Dr. Ware was a good citizen and neighbor, and was very charitable with his means; he never hesitated for a moment to extend a helping hand to the needy or distressed. He lived a bachelor for several years and then married a Miss White from Mobile. He built a splendid residence on one of these tables above the river, and was surrounded with every comfort and convenience for country life. He had a park, stocked with deer, the only one ever seen by the writer. He belonged to the old Whig party, and was very popular. He was the second man from the Fork that represented Montgomery county in the Legislature. Dr. Ware had three children, two sons and one daughter. Robert Y., James and Mary were the names of the children. Robert married a Miss Molton, James married a Miss Stokes, the daughter married T. J. Molten, a young lawyer. The Dr. lived in the Fork a number of years and then moved to the city and had a fine brick residence there, where he lived the remaining years of his life.

Source:  From Recollections of the Early Settlers of Montgomery, County, Alabama – 1892

Robert J. Ware came to the county in the year 1822. HE was a native of Lincoln county, Georgia, and his mother was a Miss Stokes. His parents were wealthy, and his early advantages were very good. He became a physician and planter and rapidly acquired property here. He entered public life as a representative of the county in the legislature in 1832, and served as a member of one house or the other for seven years. He was a man of wondrous energy, tact, and practical knowledge, possessing singular magnetism and influence over men. He was very successful in business, and accumulated a large estate. He died in 1867, leaving many relatives and descendants in the county.

Source:  Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record, and Public Men From 1540 to 1872, by W. Brewer, published in 1872, pages 449-450

Burial:
Oakwood Cemetery
Montgomery
Montgomery County
Alabama, USA
Plot: Lots 1 and 6, Square 37, Survey 3