Henry Burt Wake, son of Bacon and Anna Jane 
(Rumsey) Ware, was born in Salem on Aug. 20, 1825. 
On the paternal side his ancestry is traceable back to 
as early a date as 1675, when Joseph Ware, the orig- 
inal ancestor of the family, emigrated to America. 
The maternal branch was represented in Cecil County, 
Md., as early as 1665. 

Mr. Ware received the first rudiments of an educa- 
tion at the common schools of his native place, and 
at the age of sixteen was appointed to a cadetship in 
the Military Academy at West Point, where he had 
as classmates McClellan, Burnside, and others since 
distinguished in the military service on both sides 
during the late war. He remained at the academy 
for four years, making rapid progress and taking high 
rank as a student, until compelled to resign his posi- 
tion because of severe physical disability. Return- 
ing to his home in Salem, he soon after secured em- 
ployment in the Salem Bank, serving as teller under 
his uncle, George C. Rumsey, and upon the death of 
the latter succeeding him as cashier, at the same 
time becoming a member of the board of directors. 
He continued to discharge the onerous and respon- 
sible duties of the position for more than a quarter 
of a century, with great acceptance to the public, 
and to the satisfaction of the officers and stockholders 
of the bank. He made a model officer, being prompt, 
obliging, faithful, and efficient, and held a place in 
the confidence and regard of the patrons of the bank 
as unusual as it was deserved. Finally, owing to 
failing health, he was compelled to relinquish his 
duties in part and seek recuperation in travel. He 
visited Europe, but gained no benefit from his sojourn 
there, and failed also to secure any permanent benefit 
from the medical springs of this country. Feeling 
no longer able to perform the duties of the cashier- 
ship, he resigned the position Dec. 27, 1870, and re- 
tired to private life. His resignation was accepted 
by the board of directors of the bank with great re- 
gret, and resolutions were passed testifying to " their 
full appreciation of the long and faithful services of 
the retiring cashier, the sterling integrity of his char- 
acter, and the prudence and intelligence that ever 
guided his action." 

After leaving the bank Mr. Ware filled no other 
public position, except in the church, until appointed 
postmaster of Salem by President Grant, in March,
1875. He held this position for a few months only, 
passing away from the scenes of life on July 23, 1875. 
He was never an aspirant for public place, though 
lending a cheerful support to all national, State, and 
local movements of importance. His chief labors, 
outside of his banking business, were performed 
within the church. He was elected an elder in the 
First Presbyterian Church of Salem early in life, 
and held that position until his death. He also took 
great interest in the evangelical agencies connected 
with church work, and in the missionary and Bible 
causes was especially active. At the time of his death 
he was treasurer of the Salem County Bible Society. 
For nearly twenty-five years he officiated as superin- 
tendent of the Sabbath-school connected with the 
First Presbyterian Church, and by his kindly and 
loving administration of its affairs endeared himself 
to teachers and pupils alike. An invalid during 
nearly his entire life, and suffering from a painful 
and exhausting disease, he ever manifested a cour- 
teous and affable disposition, and by his kindness of 
heart and open generosity merited the esteem and 
confidence of the community in which he lived. 
His early demise was greatly regretted by many 
friends, and the public prints of the period contained 
many flattering estimates of his character and deeds. 
Quoting from one of these published eulogiue, a 
true summary of his character may be given in these 
words: "As a citizen, he was intelligent and valu- 
able ; as a business man, honest, correct, prompt, and 
reliable; as a Christian, a shining example. His 
virtues are a rich legacy to his children ; his correct 
life and happy death a consolation to his widow and 
relatives ; and his example a lesson to us all, — a 
never-ending sermon, full of exhortation, sympathy, 
and love." 

Mr. Ware married, on Sept. 5, 1855, Sarah Gilmore, 
daughter of Thomas W. and Kezia (Gilmore) Cattell, 
and had a family of four children, of whom three sur- 
vive, viz. : Anna, wife of John V. Craven, of Salem ; 
Thomas Bacon, and Alexander Cattell Ware. 

(Note:  Henry is listed with middle name in the above text.  Find a Grave lists him with the middle name of Bacon)

Source:  History of the counties of Gloucester,  Salem, and Cumberland, New Jersey, with biographical sketches of thie prominent citizens, Internet Archive, on-line, pages 382-3