“Ralph Ware came from Massachusetts to Illinois in 1834, settling near Granville.  Public Spirit and hearty interest in all that stood for community advancement characterized the Ware family.  It was members of this family, still in Massachusetts, who built the church where Jonathan Turner delivered the famous Granville address; it was here that the friends of agriculture and industrial education often met.  As a member of the Buel institute Ware had frequent opportunity to aid industrial education.

Mr.Ware died in middle life, a farmer of influence and wealth.” (1)

“…This Eminent agriculturist, so distinguished among the enterprising cultivators, stock-raisers and fruit growers of the West, died at his residence in Putman County, Illinois, on the 8th of June, in the 59th year of his age.  He was interred in a beautiful spot in his own orchard, his grave shaded by the trees his own hands had planted.” (2)

Sources: (1) Semi-centennial History of the University of Illinois, Vol. 1 By University of Illinois and Burt Eardley Powell, Published by University of Illinois, 1918, page 152

(2) Working Farmer, Vol. 15, 1863, page 175