Ella Ware, M.D.

Ella Ware, M.D.. At the beginning of the 20th century, access to quality medical care with an educated physician was rare in rural areas. Modernized healthcare came to Stockdale when fellow citizen Ella Ware earned her medical degree and returned to fill a need in the community. Ella Green Ware was born in Riddleville (now Gillette), but soon relocated to Stockdale where the family settled on a farm. At age twenty-five she began medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1895. She graduated in 1899 as the second female graduate from the medical department and the first under the school's four-year program. As one of the top students, Dr. Ware was asked to stay on as a professor. She declined, opting to return to Stockdale to serve her community, her postgraduate work was completed at the New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital in 1901., Dr. Ware opened an office on Stockdale's Main Street, but a large portion of her practice involved traveling across rugged rural terrain with a horse and buggy and later in one of the first automobiles in town. She opened a sanitarium in 1909 for surgical cases and served as a local surgeon for the railroad for 45 years. In her career, Dr. Ware delivered more than 6,000 babies and parents often named children in her honor. She also stayed current on medical advancements and science, and was active in several medical societies, holding numerous offices. Dr. Ware also served as a member of the Stockdale Baptist Church and rooted her work in her faith. Dr. Ware practiced medicine for 50 years until the age of 79. She is buried at Stockdale City Cemetery and is remembered as a respected and innovative doctor who affected thousands of lives throughout generations.