Added by: Sharon

Gladys Bessie Pridgeon was the sixth child born to John and Jessie Arnold Pridgeon. She was born August 5, 1911 at Upton Wy and grew to womanhood on her parents’ homestead southwest of Newcastle.

She graduated from Newcastle High School in 1928, completed normal training and taught in area rural schools.

She married Rodney King Ware at Deadwood SD on March 14,1936. Together they operated a dry cleaning store in Newcastle until moving to Sheridan, WY in 1945 where they ranched and she owned The Jack and Jill Store. They returned to the Black Hills area owning a ranch on Red Water between Spearfish SD and Sundance WY. Gladys continued to operate her store in Newcastle and later moved it to Sundance in 1959.

She was active in the business communities of Newcastle and Sundance and was named Business Woman of the Year in 1981. She retired in 1990 after serving her community for more than 50 years.

Though they had no children she and Rodney were a favorite among their many nieces and nephews who spent many wonderful times in their home.