The Weaver Families of Montgomery County, Ohio

GEORGE WASHINGTON WEAVER, the pioneer and most prominent merchant of Miamisburg, was born in Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, September 27, 1824. He is a son of Philip and Magdalena (Gebhart) Weaver, and is of Swiss origin. His paternal grandparents were Jacob and Margaret (Gebhart) Weaver, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1804, settling on Little Bear creek, Jefferson township, Montgomery county. Here Mr. Weaver cleared and improved a farm, upon which both he and his wife lived the rest of their lives. Jacob Weaver was born February 28, 1762, and was a son of Jacob

Weaver, of Alsace-Lorraine, who was one of three brothers who were driven from their native land by religious persecution during the last century.

Jacob Weaver, grandfather of George W., was the father of ten children, as follows: Henry, a soldier in the war of 1812; Michael, Jacob, Peter, Philip, John; Magdalena, wife of Jacob Beachler; Gretchen, wife of George Gebhart; Eva and William. Of these children, Philip, the father of George W. Weaver, was a farmer, and a most industrious, temperate Christian gentleman. His death occurred July 12, 1851, when he was fifty-three years of age. His wife, Magdalena Gebhart, was a daughter of George and Elizabeth Gebhart, who came from Pennsylvania, and settled in Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1805. Their children who grew to maturity were as follows: William; Elizabeth, wife of Nelson Shade; George W.; Rachel, wife of Eli Eck; Malinda, wife of Daniel Bookwalter; John P., Jacob; Lavina, wife of Wilson Gebhart; Noah; and Magdalena, wife of Philip Weaver.

George W. Weaver, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead and remained there until he was twenty-one years of age. The education he received was limited to that furnished by the common schools of his youthful days. In 1845, with a borrowed capital of $150, he embarked in the grocery business at Miamisburg, and in this business he has been engaged ever since, meeting with all the success that could be desired.

In 1 86 1 he added a hardware department to his business, and has always been and still remains the leading and most extensive merchant of the place. For twenty-five years he was a large dealer in agricultural implements, buggies, etc., and in this department of trade was as successful as in those of groceries and hardware.

Mr. Weaver was married October 8, 1845, to Rebecca Rowe, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Squires) Rowe, and has eight children, as follows: Sarah M., wife of H. C. Hoff;

Ellen, wife of R. J. Smith; Mary A. L., wife of F. C. Ampt; George C., Charles E.; Louisa E., wife of Robert G. Weber; Emma C., wife of Franklin Alter; and Harry C. Mr. Weaver is a member of the Reformed church, and has held the offices of deacon, treasurer and trustee. In politics he is a republican, and in every relation of life has always been recognized as a man of the highest integrity and honor, enjoying the regard of both the social and business elements of the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE W. WEAVER, merchant, Miamisburg. The grandfather of this gentleman was Jacob Weaver, a native of Pennsylvania, who there married Margaret Gebhart of that State, and, in 1804, came to Ohio, entering a tract of land on Little Bear Creek in Jefferson Township, Montgomery County. They had a family of ten children, but two of whom are now living, and as each child grew to maturity, the father presented them with a farm, Philip, the father of our subject, receiving a farm lying one mile west of Miamisburg, which is yet owned by his heirs. Philip married Magdalena Gebhart, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Gebhart, who came to this county from Pennsylvania in 1805, and by this union was the father of fifteen children, of whom our subject was the third oldest. Philip was an industrious, temperate Christian man, and died July 12, 1851, his wife surviving him thirty years, and dying in November, 1881, after a worthy Christian life of nearly eighty-one years. George W. was born on the old homestead September 27, 1824, and worked at home until twenty-one years old, when, with the small amount of $8, and 8150 which he borrowed, he purchased a stock of groceries and opened a store on North Main street, Miamisburg, Ohio, where, by close application to business and an invincible determination to succeed, he rose step by step until, to-day, he ranks among the wealthy men of his native township. He was married, October 8, 1845, to Rebecca Rowe, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Squires) Rowe, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 22, 1827. They have had eight children — -Sarah M., Eliza E., George C., Mary Ann L., Emma C., Charles E., Louisa J. and Harry C. He and wife have been members of the Reformed Church for the past twenty-five years, in which organization he has been Deacon, Treasurer and Trustee. Mr. Weaver carries the largest stock of goods of any house in Miamisburg, and is recognized as a man of integrity and honor in all his dealings, a man who is ever alive to the spirit and progress of this enlightened age.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

JOHN J. WEAVER, a well-known farmer and esteemed citizen of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a descendant, paternally, of an old colonial German family, and of an equally old German family on the material side.

Jacob Weaver, his paternal grandfather, was born in Germany, and became a farmer and distiller in Shenandoah county, Va., where his death took place. Of his children the names of the following are remembered: John, Michael, Jacob, and Mrs. Hickel. Of these, Jacob, the father of John J., was also a native of Germany, and married in Shenandoah county, Va., Catherine Jordan. He served in the war of 1812, and he and his wife, after their marriage, lived in Shenandoah county, at Hawkinstown, until 1816, when they came to Ohio, and for about fifteen years lived on a farm in Greene county. In the winter of 1834-5, they moved to Madison township, Montgomery county, where Jacob Weaver bought 140 acres of land, of which but a small portion was cleared. He devoted himself, with steady industry, to the improvement and development of his land and converted it into one of the best farms in the township. He died here at the age of seventy-eight years, honored and respected throughout the entire community. His children were named, in order of birth, John J., George (deceased), Eliza, Martin, Preston, Levi, Jacob and Sophia.

John J. Weaver was born in Shenandoah county, Va., June 23, 1816, and was but four months old when brought by his parents to Ohio. He was early injured to the toil of the frontier farm, and his education was secured by attendance at the old log school-house of his district during three months in winter from the age of twelve until nineteen years old. In those primitive days oats in bulk brought six cents per bushel, corn eight cents on the ground, or ten cents when hauled to Xenia, five miles away, and hogs, when dressed, one and one-half cents per pound. Young Weaver, when a boy, wore buckskin garments, and the traveling cordwainer made the shoes for the family, while many other articles of apparel were improvised to meet exigencies. Nevertheless, pioneer life had its pleasures and was greatly enjoyed by the old settlers. Farm life was health-giving and its toil contributed to the development of sturdy sine and muscle and of clear and active brain.

The marriage of Mr. Weaver took place March 29, 1838, at New Lebanon, Montgomery county, Ohio, with Miss Elizabeth Brouse, who was born in Canton, Stark county, Ohio, June 5, 1821, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Elijah Kuhns, of the Reformed church. Mr. Weaver, after marriage, lived one year on his father’s farm in Madison township, then removed to Perry township, bought a lot of two acres and a cooper shop, and there followed that trade for three years; he then engaged in the same business in New Lebanon for ten years, and finally settled in Jackson township. Here he bought a farm of 176 acres, which he improved and successfully cultivated until 1871, when he came to his present farm of 104 acres, in the same township. On this he has erected substantial farm buildings, and in 1881 built a modern and convenient residence, his farm being in itself a model and unsurpassed by any other farm of its proportions in the county. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been born the following-named children: Mary C.,

Eliza J., George W. (deceased), John Hamilton, Jacob Ladan, William, Elizabeth A., Preston P., Levi L. (deceased), Otto M.,

Clara B. (deceased) and Dora Etta. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the German Reformed church, of which Mr. Weaver has been a deacon and elder for many years.

Mrs. Weaver is a daughter of John and Mary (Adams) Brouse, and John Brouse was a son of Michael and Elizabeth Brouse, of German descent. Michael was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He settled in Chippewa, Stark (but now in Summit) county, Ohio, on the then frontier, and lived to the patriarchal age of 102 years, dying at Chippewa. His children were named John, Michael, Philip, William, Elizabeth, Rachel, Polly and Leah. The father of Mrs. Weaver, John Brouse, was born in Shenandoah county, Va., was reared in New Market, that county, was a potter by trade, and married Mary Adams, a native of Maryland, of German parentage. From Virginia Mr. Brouse came to Ohio, conducted a pottery at Canton, then at Xenia, and in 1827 settled in New Lebanon, Montgomery county, where he also established his trade. He afterward lived in Lewiston, Ohio, and for a short time in Indiana, but ended his days in New Lebanon, at the age of seventy-seven years, a member of the Lutheran church. His children were named Elkanon, Theresa C., John A., Sarah C., Mary C., Henry A., Elizabeth, William and George.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WARREN A. WEAVER, farmer, P. 0. Pyrmont, born in this county March 20, 1850, is a son of Martin V. and Eliza (Zehring) Weaver, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ohio. The great-grandfather, Michael Weaver, emigrated from Germany and settled in Virginia, where he lived and died; also the great-grandfather, Joseph Jordon, was from Germany, and came to Virginia, where he died. The grandfather, Jacob Weaver, and wife, Anna Catharine, came from Virginia to Ohio and located in Greene County in 1817, where they resided till 1830, thence moved into Montgomery and lived here till their death; he died in the fall of 1854, and she in June, 1874; issue, eight children; six now survive — John J., George, Martin V., Levi, Jacob and Sophia. Mr. Weaver was a man of limited education, possessing in his boyhood days but meager advantages of schools, and being among the early pioneers endured the hardships and deprivations of those times, was a very industrious hardworking man, and whose character and integrity was undoubted. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Martin V. was a carpenter by trade. Was married, April 26, 1849, to Eliza, daughter of David and Christine Zehring, natives of Pennsylvania, but who became residents of Warren County, Ohio, about 1820, where they resided till about 1831, thence moved into Perry Township, Montgomery County, where they resided till his death in June, 1863; his wife is still living with her daughter, now nearly eighty years of age. Martin V. was born December 16, 1823; Eliza was born May 25, 1826; by their union they have had eight children, five now living — Warren A., Alvin C., Alma M., Charles E. and Arthur G. Mr. Weaver, after his marriage, located at Liberty, Jefferson Township, where he followed his trade in connection with the undertaking business till 1864, when, after the death of his father-in-law, he moved on to his old home place, where he continued his former business till 1873, when he sold out everything connected with that business, since which he has engaged in the sale of agricultural implements and buying leaf tobacco. He owns seventy-five acres of land, fifty-one acres constituting the home place just at the outskirts of Johnsville, upon which he has remodeled the house and erected other buildings, and now has everything in good condition constituting a beautiful home and residence. Mr. Weaver is one of those active, stirring men who never “rusts out,” and one who holds the confidence of his community; has been Township Trustee two years and School Director for many years; has given all his children a good education, who have nearly all become school teachers, and filling positions of trust and usefulness. Our subject remained with his father till nearly twenty-one years of age. Was married, January 1, 1874, to Elizabeth, daughter of David and Elizabeth Heeter, natives of this county; by this union they have four children— Florence V., Perry W., Lulu C. and one infant. Mr. Weaver received a good education, and taught school two winters; thence bought and located upon the place where he now resides; the farm consists of thirty-six acres, all in cultivation, with good improvements, and is a very pleasant home. Mr. Weaver has served one term as Township Clerk.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES E. WEAVER.

Charles E. Weaver, principal of the schools of district No. 9, Harrison township, and the owner of ninety acres of fine farm land in Preble county, near Manchester, Ohio, was born in Liberty, Montgomery county, September 23, 1858, his parents being Martin V. and Eliza Weaver. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Weaver, came to this state from Maryland early in the nineteenth century, being one of its early settlers. He first located in Greene county, where he lived upon a farm with a Mr. Sanders, and later came to Montgomery county, clearing one hundred and sixty acres of land which became the Weaver homestead. Upon this farm he passed his last years in retirement from active labor. His wife in her maidenhood had been Miss Catharine Jordan.

Martin V. Weaver, the father of our subject, was born near Spring Valley in Greene county, Ohio, and in early life worked as a mechanic but later turned his attention to farming. He married Miss Eliza Zehring, who died at Johnsville, May 20, 1896, and his death occurred at the same place on the 17th of January, 1900. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, namely: Warren A., a resident of Grangeville, Newton county, Missouri; Allen R., deceased; Alvin C. and Alma M., both residents of Dayton; Helen I., deceased; Charles E., of this review; and Edward L. and Arthur G., both deceased.

Charles E. Weaver obtained a good education at many schools and colleges, though the larger part of his higher training was acquired after he began teaching. For after a course at Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, which supplemented the schooling obtained in Johnsville. he began his career as a teacher and spent his summers in study and wider preparation for his profession. These summer courses began in 1882 at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, followed two years later by work at the Northwestern Normal at Danville, Indiana. In 1885 he went to Oberlin, where he took a commercial course, and in 1892 went to Lebanon.

Two days before Christmas, 1894, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Iva A. Ziler, a daughter of Daniel and Maria (Bennett) Ziler, of Darke county, Ohio. Her mother, who was born in Johnsville, October 21, 1842, died in Ansonia,

Darke county, March 18, 1900, but her father, whose birth occurred near Harper’s Ferry in Virginia, September 26, 1830, is still living at the age of seventy-nine years on the old homestead at Ansonia and enjoys good health. His brother, Joseph B. Ziler, served throughout the Civil war and for a time was private cook for General Sherman. He is still living at Ansonia at the age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Weaver has two brothers, Perry E. and Frank L., both residents of Ansonia. She, too, has engaged in school teaching, following that profession for three years in Ansonia. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Weaver: Olive

May and Ralph Emerson, both in school; and Lois Edna.

Mr. Weaver is a man of poise and ability who accepts seriously the responsibility and trust placed in his hands. The guidance of teachers and youths to a desire for the best in education is a noble task and one not lightly to be bestowed on any man nor accepted in any but a conscientious spirit. That Mr. Weaver appreciates all that his position means his years of service demonstrate. He and his family attend the Memorial Baptist church of Dayton, but his parents were members of the United Brethren church.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH WEAVER, M. D., the oldest male resident of Miamisburg, Ohio, and one of the most prominent citizens of the place, was born three miles south of Dayton, December 22, 1816. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Hoch) Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, in the year of his birth. His father, George Weaver, a farmer by occupation, reared to maturity eleven of the twelve children that were born to him, and at the present time seven of the eleven survive.

Joseph Weaver, when but twelve years old, located in Miamisburg, and worked for Drs. Isaac and John Treon for his board, clothing and education, until he was eighteen years of age. For four years subsequently he remained with them as a student of medicine. In the winter of 1836-37 he attended a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical college of Cincinnati, and in 1838 began the practice of his profession at Miamisburg. Soon afterward he engaged in the drug business, in which he continued for three years in connection with his medical practice. He then sold out the drug business and confined his attention to his profession, in which he successfully continued until 1870, a period of thirty-two years. In 1873 he embarked in the lumber business, in which he still continues, and in 1884 he erected a large planing-mill, which he has since operated. Since 1889 he has also been engaged in the coal business. For many years he has dealt in real estate, and has erected a large number of houses in Miamisburg, several of which he still owns.

Dr. Weaver was married, in 1841, to Fannie Swar, daughter of John and Susan (Kauffman) Swar, of Miamisburg, and to this marriage there were born several children, as follows: Minerva (Mrs. Rev. H. N. Weaver),

John, Charles, Nora (Mrs. Dr. William Shuler), Anna (Mrs. John Walters), Louisa (Mrs. William Kauffman), and Clara. The doctor has twenty-two grandchildren. He is a member of the German Reformed church; in politics, originally a whig, he has been a republican since that party was organized. His first presidential vote was cast for Gen. William Henry Harrison, in 1840, and his last for Gen. Benjamin Harrison, in 1892. Dr. Weaver's memory is perfect, and his reminiscences of early days are exceedingly interesting. In the sixty-eight years of his residence in Miamisburg, the older generations have all passed away, and he stands now, hale and vigorous, nearly alone, but apparently with many years of active life and usefulness before him, the only representative of the men who knew the place before it became a town and the only one living who assisted in its organization.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY WEAVER, the well-known retired blacksmith of Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Van Buren township, of the same county, October 26, 1825, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Hoch) Weaver, natives of Lancaster county, Pa.

John Weaver, the paternal grandfather of Henry, was also a native of Lancaster county, Pa., but was one of the pioneers of Montgomery county, Ohio, having come to this state in 1806. He entered, or purchased, a large tract of land in Van Buren township, cleared up a fine farm for himself and family, and at his death was able to endow each of his children with a handsome piece of farm land.

Joseph Hoch, the maternal grandfather of Henry Weaver, was likewise a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and a pioneer farmer of Miami township, Montgomery county, Ohio.

George Weaver, father of Henry, settled in Van Buren township in 1816, and cleared up a farm, on which he passed the remainder of his life. To his marriage with Elizabeth Hoch were born twelve children, of whom eleven grew to maturity, viz: William, George, Jeremiah, Joseph, Lucy A. (Mrs. Jacob Drayer), Mary A. (Mrs. Richard M. Miller), Henry, Isaac, Sarah (Mrs. David Furlong), Elizabeth (Mrs. Dr. John Treon), and Daniel.

Henry Weaver, whose name opens this biographical notice, was reared in Van Buren township, where he received a fair education in the pioneer log school-house, and where he served two years as an apprentice to a blacksmith. Having fully learned the trade, he worked as a journeyman for five years, and then established a shop of his own in his native township, which shop he conducted for another period of five years, and then came to Miamisburg, where he passed thirteen years in the prosperous prosecution of his trade, and at the end of that period was enabled to retire to private life and to live on the competency his industry and thrift had so worthily gained him.

Henry Weaver was happily married, in 1850, to Barbara A. Kauffman, daughter of Henry and Maria (Bear) Kauffman, of German township, and to this union have been born eight children, of whom six grew to maturity, viz: Amos; Mary, who is the wife of Miles Blossom; Etta, widow of Amos K. Clay; Harry, Theodore, and Lizzie E., who died in March, 1893.

Mr. Weaver, now one of the most substantial citizens of Miamisburg, has owned and occupied his present residence since 1873. He is surrounded by a circle of pleasant neighbors and sincere friends, in whose esteem he holds a high position, and is also much respected by the community at large. Although a democrat in his party affiliations, he has never been a partisan in the office-seeking sense of the word, but has contented himself with giving voice to his principles through his vote at the polls.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEWIS A. WEAVER, farmer, P. O. Farmersvilie, born in Germantown, this county, September 28, 1853, is a son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Heineke) Weaver, also natives of this county. The maternal grandfather, Christian Henry Daniel Heif ncke, was born at Cuxhaven, Hanover, December 15, 1793; emigrated to America in 1817, and landed at Baltimore September 14, and soon after came to Ohio. He acquired a liberal education in the schools of his native land, and here he devoted himself to the study of theology. But at that time there was no theological seminary of the Lutheran Church in this Western country, and he was necessitated to pursue his studies privately, under the direction of Pastors Dechant, Dill and others. In the fa!! of 1820, he applied to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio for authority to preach the Gospel; and sustaining a creditable examination, he was unanimously received into the ranks of the ministry of that church. On January 1, 1826, Rev. Mr. Heineke accepted a call from the Lutheran Church of Miamisburg and became the second pastor of that church after its organization. He served this congregation to the end of his laborious life, July 10, 1859, a term of thirty-three years. Rev. Mr. Heineke was a more than ordinary theologian, stocked with useful knowledge; well posted in the doctrines of his church, possessing a clear head and an honest heart, and able to present his views in few words, clearly and with great force; was modest and a friend of peace. Possessing such amiable qualities, his labors were sought eagerly by those who knew him, and were highly appreciated. Daniel Weaver was born May 13, 1822; was married and became the father of three children; was thrice married; first, to Sarah Replogle, by whom he had one child — Philip; his wife died, after which he married Mary Ann Heincke, by whom he had two children — -Lewis Alfred and Samuel H. His second wife died November 5, 1862, aged thirty-nine years. His third wife was Sarah Ann Geiger, with whom he lived till his death, which occurred March 26, 1878, aged fifty-six years; his widow is still living on the old home place in this township. Mr. Weaver was a wagon-maker by trade, which business he followed seventeen years; thence he gave his attention to farming, which he followed the remainder of his life. He took great delight in hunting, and about the holidays of each year it was his custom to make a hunting tour in Paulding and other northern counties for deer and other game, and as a marksman it was said his aim was sure and never missed its mark. He was a very industrious person from his boyhood up, economical and saved every penny. Starting in life with no capital, he became possessed of eighty acres of land and quite an amount of money, being financially well situated before his death. Our subject grew to maturity, receiving a good common school education; thence he attended the Normal School at Lebanon six months; thence he taught school one year; thence entered upon farming, which occupation he has since followed; was married September 16, 1875, to Mary E., daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Apple, both natives of this township; by this union they have two children — Charles Henry and Walter Edmund. Mr. Weaver bought and located upon the farm where he now resides in the spring of 1879; the farm he purchased of Jacob Apple; it consists of fifty acres of land with good buildings and improvements. Mr. Weaver and wife are members of the Lutheran Church and he is a very active and popular teacher in the Sabbath school.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SAMUEL H. WEAVER (deceased) was born on his father’s farm in Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, September 7, 1860, a son of Daniel and Mary (Heineke) Weaver, and was baptized in the Lutheran church November 30, 1860.

Daniel Weaver, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and came to Ohio a young man. Here he was first married, in Montgomery county, to a Miss Repnogle, who bore him one son, Philip. After her death Mr. Weaver married Miss Mary Heineke, and this union was blessed with two children — Lewis A. and Samuel H. Daniel Weaver was a substantial farmer of Jackson township, and, being an early settler, cleared up from the wilderness the farm on which Mrs. Samuel H. Weaver now lives. He died in March, 1878, a member of the Lutheran church and an esteemed citizen.

Samuel H. Weaver passed his earlier years on his father’s farm, receiving a good common-school education, which he supplemented by extensive reading. He became a well-informed man, well prepared for mercantile life, and later entered upon various branches of business. On reaching his majority he married, December 25, 1881, at Miamisburg, Ohio, Miss Mary J. Smith, who was born July 16, 1857, in Montgomery county, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth A. (Hennemyer) Smith.

Jacob Smith, father of Mrs. Weaver, was a native of Maryland, where he early lost his father through death, and was yet a boy when he came to Montgomery county, Ohio. Here he grew to manhood and prospered, and first married Susan Loman, to which union were born three children — Sarah A., Nancy J. and Martin C. His second wife, Elizabeth A. Hennemyer, blessed him with six children— Henry, George C., John F., Celia E., Mary J. and Samuel E.

After marriage, Mr. Weaver and his wife lived for a few years on the Weaver homestead, and he then engaged in other industries, becoming proprietor of a saw-mill, and having also an interest in a cider-mill and a tile factory. He was quite successful in these lines, developing a marked faculty for business. As a democrat Mr. Weaver served as township trustee for two terms, and was a member of the school board for five years. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, of which he was a deacon, and for two years superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was energetic and efficient in all his undertakings, especially active in church work, and was chairman of the building committee on the erection of the new Slyfer church edifice, for which he drew the plans. He was a member and the secretary of the Masonic lodge at Farmersville, and was also a member of Oak lodge, No. 625, I. O. O. F., at New Lebanon. His lamented death occurred July 31, 1896, of typhoid fever, contracted while on a visit to Alabama, and his loss was deeply deplored by the entire community in which he had lived. He left a wife and four children — Cora L., Harry H., Emma C. and Orpha J.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

W. A. WEAVER, Postmaster and general store, New Lebanon, born in this township, June 18, 1845, is a son of John I. and Catharine (Pence) Weaver, he was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., August 4, 1799; she was born in Shenandoah County, Va. John I. was brought to this county by his parents in 1805, locating in Jefferson Township, where he was raised and grew to manhood injured to the scenes and hardships of those early days; was married and became the father of seven children; five now survive — Mary M., Catharine, Urias, John D. and W. A. Mr. Weaver, after his marriage, located in the southeast part of Jackson Township, where he resided ten years, engaged in the distilling business; thence, in spring of 1832, he bought and located upon the farm where he now lives and has since resided, a period of nearly half a century; he is a prominent man and farmer in this community and well and respect- I ably known; has been Township Treasurer and Township Trustee; was one of the Directors in the building of the Dayton and Western turnpike, which office he filled twelve or fourteen years. Pie is now eighty-two years of age, and of course has retired from all active business, and lives honored and respected by a large circle of j! friends. Our subject was brought up to farm labor till he arrived at his majority; was married January 28, 1866, to Miss Mattie M., daughter of George and Susau Tobias, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of this county; they had ten children; four now survive: Rebecca, Sarah M., Mattie and Mary. Mr. Weaver and wife have had four children, three now living — Vernon A., Franklin J. and Elsie Ardella. Mr. Weaver; farmer about five years after his marriage; thence, in fall of 1872, entered upon mercantile trade in New Lebanon, in partnership with his brother, John D., which partnership continued till November, 1875, when they dissolved and divided the stock, and William A. continued business at the old stand, where he has, by close attention to business, his affableness of manners and accommodation to his customers, won the confidence of the people and has established a good trade, which is yearly increasing; is now serving on his second term as Treasurer of the corporation of New Lebanon, and has been Postmaster since his commencement in mercantile business.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PETER S. WEAVER, farmer, P. 0. Pyrmont, born in this county, Jefferson Township, January 29, 1840, is a son of Peter and Cassidiana (Fisher) Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Michael Weaver, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio with his family and located in Jefferson Township in June, 1804, being one of the early pioneers, locating on Little Bear Creek, three miles north of Miamisburg. Here he opened out right in the woods, and experienced all the wildness and hardships of those pioneer days, and here he lived and died. The maternal grandfather, Fredey rick Fisher, was also an early settler here a few years later than the Weaver family. Peter Weaver was in his eleventh year when his father brought them to this new country; was raised and injured to the many hardships of pioneer life; grew to maturity; was married and became the father of four children, three now living — Johu, Henry P. and Peter S. Mr. Weaver was twice married, and the first two children mentioned above were by his first wife, and the last mentioned by his last wife; he died July 20, 1879, aged nearly eighty-six years; his wife is still living, now eighty-one years of age. Mr. Weaver was a carpenter by trade and a natural mechanic, being able to make and construct almost anything made from wood. He made quite a leading business of manufacturing wind mills for many years; he made and put up the first one ever erected in Ohio, and at the time was only nineteen years of age. He was a remarkably hard-working, industrious man, of undoubted integrity of character, an active church member, being a member of the Lutheran Church sixty years or more, and holding all the prominent offices in the church — Trustee, Deacon and Elder; one who gave freely of his labor and means to build churches and support the Gospel, and ! in his death the community lost a worthy citizen and the church an earnest worker. Our subject lived with his father till his majority. Was married, March 1, 1860, to Huldah Anna, daughter of James and Sarah Sharits, he a native of Virginia, and she of Pennsylvania, becoming residents of this county about 1830; by this union they have had nine children, six now survive: Adelia M., Martha M., Sarah C., Adam O., Margaret A. and Amanda E. Mr. Weaver, after his marriage, resided with his father and carried on his farm eight years; thence bought and located in Jackson Township till in 1876 he sold out, and in the fall of 1878 bought and located upon his present farm, which consists of sixty-five acres, fifty of which are in cultivation with good buildings and improvements, constituting a very pleasant home. Mr. Weaver, by his industry, acquired a good competency, but has met several losses — had his barn burned, lost quite heavily by a severe storm, and some by bad debts; estimating all his losses since his marriage from above causes to reach at least $4,000. Notwithstanding, he still lives comfortably fixed, and has the right faith and courage to go on and take life agreeably. Mr. Weaver follows the footsteps of his father in his devotion to Christianity; became a member of the Lutheran Church when seventeen years of age, and was taken into the church by one of the first preachers of this denomination in this county, Rev. Henry Heinaker; since living at his present location, he is a great distance from any Lutheran Church, and for convenience he and his wife have joined the United Brethren Church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY C. WEAVER, merchant; P. 0., Iamton. The father of our subject, Henry Weaver, Sr., was born in Adams Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 1815. He had the advantage of a common school education, and his early years were passed upon a farm. He emigrated to this county, settling near Little York, where he was engaged in huckstering, exchanging dry goods and groceries for produce, which he disposed of in Cincinnati. The mother was the daughter of Richard Sandhan, who was one of the early proprietors of a large and flourishing mill and woolen factory in the neighborhood of Little York, and who was also a prominent mason. As a result of this union ten children were born, seven of whom are living. Elizabeth, Mary, Annie, Jane, Wealthy, Emma and our subject, who was born in Montgomery County, March 21, 1849. After receiving instruction in the common branches, he learned the trade of a cooper, but desiring a change in occupation, two years later found him in a. flouring mill. He had a taste for mercantile pursuits, and as soon as he had accumulated sufficient means, he purchased a stock of goods, and at Little York opened a dry goods store. Here he remained eight years, during which period, through habits of industry and economy, combined with business tact, had become a successful and prosperous business man, having made and saved several thousand dollars; but not content with the size of his business and location, in the spring of 1880 he built at Harrisburgli a large and commodious store-room, stocking it with a choice selection of dry goods, groceries,

! and, in fact, everything found in a general store. Mr. Weaver is a good citizen and an active and enterprising business man, ann has filled several minor offices of honor and trust tendered him by the citizens of the community in which he resides. He was united in marriage with Catharine Mast, March 2, 1869, and the union was blessed with eight children, six of whom are now living, by names Sarah, Maud, Dixon, Harry, Wesley and William H.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CLEMENT LEARD WEAVER.

Clement Leard Weaver, a resident farmer of Jackson township, where he was born February 1, 1863, is now meeting with a gratifying measure of success in his chosen life work. He is a son of John Daniel and Elizabeth (Tibecap) Weaver, both natives of that township. He comes from a family that has long been represented in this section of the county, his grandfather, John J. Weaver, having come with his father, Jacob Weaver, to Jackson township, about 1809 or 1810, casting in his lot with the early settlers of this district. His son, John Daniel Weaver, the father of our subject, was the proprietor of a store here for about three years and then for a number of years operated a sawmill. His later years, however, have been devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he has been very successful. In his family were six children, namely: Elmira, Alice, Theodore, Ervesta, Elmer and Clement.

Clement Leard Weaver, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, entering the common schools at the usual age, therein acquiring a good English education. When not busy with his text-books, he worked with his father and after leaving school, began learning the carpenter’s trade. He followed this pursuit for about four years and then for six seasons operated a thresher. During the intervening period he had been a hard worker and had carefully saved his earnings, so that eventually, he had accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase a farm of his own. This place is a finely improved property, the air of neatness and prosperity surrounding it bespeaking the care and attention bestowed upon it by its owner.

On the 2d of December, 1895, Mr. Weaver wedded Miss Alice Wegley, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Heeter) Wegley, of Jackson township. This union was blessed with six children, namely: Sadie, born in 1896; Opal, born in

1899; Ralph, born in 1901; John, born in 1904; [name withheld], born in 1906; and [name withheld], born in 1908. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they have always taken a deep interest. Mr. Weaver has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to concentrate his undivided time and attention to the management of his personal interests. In his farm work, he has made steady advancement and has gained a reputation for business integrity and activity that is most commendable and therein lies the secret of his success.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN A. WEAVER, tobacconist, Dayton, was born in Ohio October 9, 1819. is father was Adam Weaver, a Revolutionary soldier, a native of Pennsylvania, and ? mother a native of Ohio. Our subject, who was their oldest son, was married, in 40, to Miss Rachael Shade, who was born in 1822, and by whom he has had four children, two boys and two girls: John Al-;d, James M., Elvina and Milla. Of 3se, Elvina is married to J. T. Gassett, two others are in New York, and John Al-;d is at home, being the only one the old folks have with them. Mr. Weaver was a mer until 1878, when he engaged in the tobacco business, in which he has since conned.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DAVID WEAVER, farmer, P. 0. Brookville, born in Greene County, Ohio, January 18, 1823, is a son of Martin and Susanna (Jordon) Weaver, natives of Virginia, the ancestors being written up in the sketch of W. A. Weaver, in this work.

Martin emigrated from Virginia to Ohio while a young man, about 1815, and located in Greene County, where he was married and lived about six years; thence moved to Montgomery County, near Gettersburg, and lived there a few years; thence moved into Madison Township, on Wolf Creek, where he lived till his death. His wife lived till March 19, 1875, when she too passed away nearly seventy-seven years of age. They were parents of fourteen children; nine now survive — David, Eliza, Sarah, Jemima, Martin, John, Adeline, Susanna and Catharine. Mr. Weaver was one of the early pioneers of this county, who endured the many hardships of that early day. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He and wife were both active and consistent members of the Lutheran Church, he for many years and she for a period of thirty years, and raised her large family under her watchful care and earnest prayers. Our subject remained with his father till January 4, 1844, when he was united in marriage with Anna Mary, daughter of Richard and Margaret McSherry, natives of Adams County, Penn., who emigrated to Ohio and settled in this county in 1834, where he resided till his death, which occurred December 4, 1874, aged seventy-four years. He was an honest and industrious citizen, respected and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. From a small beginning he had accumulated a good competency, and in his later years enjoyed the comforts of his labors. In 1872, was celebrated their golden wedding, the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, at which time there was a pleasant reunion of relatives and friends. His venerable wife is still living at Germantown, now seventy-nine years of age. Mr. Weaver and wife have four children, Sarah Jane, Margaret S., Daniel R. and Mary J. C. Mr. Weaver’s life has been that of a farmer. He bought and located upon the place where he now lives, in February, 1848; has resided there thirty-three years; is highly esteemed and respected; has been Township Trustee several years. He and wife are earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran Church, to which they have belonged over forty years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ERIE J. WEAVER.

While his experience in length of years is by no means equal to that of many members of the Dayton bar, Erie J. Weaver has already attained a reputation in the courts of law which many an older member of the profession might well envy, and is making continuous advancement so that his associates feel no hesitancy in prophesying for him a successful future in which he will reach a foremost place as a representative of the legal fraternity in this city. He was born near Brookville, Montgomery county, January 17, 1872, and pursuing his education through successive grades of the public school was graduated from the high school with the class of 1891. His more specifically literary course was pursued in Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, of which he is an alumnus of 1895. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work he began reading in the office and under the direction of Carr, Allaman & Kennedy, of Dayton, and later entered the Cincinnati Law School from which he was graduated in 1897. Returning to this city he entered upon practice here, first in connection with the firm in whose office he had read law, but since January, 1908, by himself. His understanding of legal principles is comprehensive, his application usually correct, while in argument he is clear and cogent and in his reasoning sound and logical. He won the oratorical prize in the Cincinnati Law School in 1897 and his gift of oratory is one of the salient features in his successful law work, enabling him always to hold the attention of court or jury as he presents his side of any litigated cause.

Mr. Weaver is well known as an active and influential member of the democratic party and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of democracy. He has served as secretary of the Democratic City Central Com-

ERIE.1. WEAVER mittee, and has twice, in 1897 and again in 1901, been the candidate of his party for the state legislature.

In September, 1902, in Dayton, 'Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Brandt and they have two daughters, Louise E. and Alice M. Mr. Weaver belongs to the Alpha Tau Omega, is a member of the board of directors of Wittenberg College, his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the First English Lutheran church and his interest in public welfare is manifest in his active cooperation in many movements for the general good.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM BENTON WEAVER.

William Benton Weaver is an enterprising and progressive young farmer, managing his father’s interests on the homestead property of sixty-five acres, situated in Miami township on the Germantown road, a mile west of Miamisburg. Elis birth occurred on this farm, January 28, 1889, and he is the second in order ot birth m a family of four children born to Noah and Nattie Weaver. The former was born and reared in Montgomery county and for many years was actively engaged in farming, becoming one of the prominent and well known citizens of this section of the state. He is now living retired, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. The other children of the family are: Ella, who is now deceased; N. Ellwood, who was married August 18, 1909, in West Carrollton, to Edna, daughter of Henry Eicher of that place; and Anna, who died March 17,

William B. Weaver, the eldest son of the family, acquired his education in district school No. 9 and gained his knowledge of farming under the able direction of his father on the home place. He now manager and operates the home farm, consisting of sixty-five acres in Miami township, and is known as a hard worker and a man of progressive methods. In addition to his farming interests he also raises some stock, which he ships to the city markets, and he likewise handles lumber, each branch of his business bringing him a good income.

Mr. Weaver gives his political support to the democratic party and is identified with the Lutheran church, to which the other members of the family also belong. His fraternal relations are with Ben Hur Lodge, No. 7, at Dayton. Fond of travel, as a means of higher education, Mr. Weaver in the spring of 1909 made a trip to Mexico and is planning an extensive trip for the near future. He believes in constant progression and puts forth strenuous efforts that today may find him farther advanced than yesterday in a social and financial position. He is popular among the young people of this section, being a worthy representative of the Weaver family who has long been known in agricultural circles.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.