Born in Sherborn, Massachusetts, Ware received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Harvard University in 1804 and read law to enter the bar in 1816.

He was in private practice in Portland from 1817 to 1820, and then served as the 1st Secretary of State of Maine from 1820 to 1822.

[1] On February 15, 1822, Ware was nominated by President James Monroe to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maine vacated by Judge Albion Parris.

Ware was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 15, 1822, and received his commission the same day.

Ware resigned on May 31, 1866, having served for over 44 years, one of the longest tenures of any United States federal judge.