BIO: James F. WEAVER, Centre County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Wayne Barner Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ _______________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _______________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 95-96 COL. JAMES F. WEAVER. The history of a State as well as that of a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by that of its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a State's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent and leading citizens of central Pennsylvania is Col. Weaver, whose home is in Boggs Township, Centre County. A native of that county, he was born in Spring Township, November 6, 1830, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Poorman) Weaver, natives of Dauphin and Centre Counties, Penn., respectively. During his early life the father, in company with his brother, Daniel, engaged in milling, leasing a mill at Bellefonte in 1808, but his later days were spent in farming in Spring Township. He and his brother Daniel erected the stone building on Allegheny street in Bellefonte, then known as the Centre County Bank, now known as the late residence of R.C. Curtin, Esq. During the war of 18 12 he was drafted, but sent a substitute. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and his political support was ever given the Democratic Party. He died in 1841, aged fifty-eight years. His wife was called to her final rest in 1847, at the age of sixty-two years. She was the daughter of Michael and Mary A. Poorman. natives of Pennsylvania, who early became residents of Centre County, where they spent their remaining days. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Frederick Weaver. The Colonel is one of a family of nine children, who in order of birth are as follows: Mary A. (widow of W. A. Davidson), residing in Chicago; David, who died in 1879; Harriet, who married John P. Harper, but both are now deceased: George B., deceased; Michael P., of Centre County; John J., of West Union, Iowa; William, who died when young; and James F., the subject of this sketch. When Col. Weaver was but ten years of age, his father died, and Hon. James Gilliland was appointed his guardian; but he continued to live with his mother until the age of sixteen. After reaching that age he was bound out to learn the carpenter's trade; but owing to ill health he was compelled to give it up. He then entered a printing office, with his brother George B., in Clarion County, Penn., and on the completion of his apprenticeship worked at the business in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore for about a year, after which he returned to Bellefonte, where for the following year he followed merchandising. In 1852 he purchased the Centre Democrat, remaining as the editor and proprietor of that paper for two years and a half, when he sold out and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Milesburg until after the outbreak of the Civil war. On August 8, 1862, Mr. Weaver was commissioned second lieutenant, by Gov. Curtin, with the power to raise a company, which became Company B, of the 148th P.V.I. In September of the same year he was commissioned captain, and subsequently promoted to major, lieutenant colonel and colonel of the same regiment. With the Army of the Potomac he participated in many of the engagements in which they took part, leading his men on many a Southern battlefield. By his gallant service and COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 96 agreeable manner he won the respect of his fellow officers, and the love and confidence of those under him. The war being ended, he was honorably discharged June 8, 1865, near Alexandria, Va. At Poe River, Va. May 8, 1864, he received a scalp wound, caused by a piece of shell. On returning to his home at Milesburg, he resumed merchandising, which he carried on for three years in connection with J. P. Shope, and then sold out to his partner, and purchased his present homestead in Boggs township, where he has since continuously resided. On December 23, 1851, Col. Weaver was married to Miss Mary M. Hall, who was born at Milesburg, September 25, 1831, a daughter of Thomas M. and Euretta (Roberts) Hall, also natives of Centre County, where they spent their entire lives. By occupation the father was an ironworker. He was elected high sheriff, in 1845, and served as sheriff of the county for three years. He died in 1879 at the age of seventy-two years, his wife in 1876 at the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. Weaver is one in a family of eleven children: James S. is deceased; Benjamin R. is a resident of Chicago; Henry B. is deceased; William T. lives in Milesburg; Dr. George, M. D., is deceased; Joseph G. lives in Kansas City, MO.; Mary M. is now Mrs. Weaver; Ellen B., the widow of Joseph Swyers, lives in Howard, Penn.; Elizabeth is the wife of J. T. Reed,; Esq., of Williamsport, Penn.; Isabella B. is the wife of J. C. P. Jones, of Milesburg; and Clara is the deceased wife of A. Thompson Boggs, a merchant of Milesburg. Four children were born to the Colonel and his wife, viz: Elizabeth, at home; J. Willis and James H., specially mentioned farther on; and one who died in infancy. Col. Weaver has taken a prominent and influential part in public affairs, was elected county treasurer in October, 1871, for two years, and in the fall of 1876 was elected to represent his county in the State Legislature. He has also held various local offices, all of which he has filled with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his constituents, proving a most efficient and popular official. In January, 1885, Gov. Robert E. Pattison appointed him a member of the Commission whose duties were to erect the State Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. He continued to serve on said commission until the institution was completed, and turned over to the State. He is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. He has been an earnest, energetic member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry for the last twenty-five years, and deeply interested in the education and elevation of the great Agricultural class of the country, and has devoted much time in Grange work in Centre and other adjoining counties. Since 1853 he has been a faithful member of the Methodist Church at Milesburg, and filled the positions of trustee, Sunday-school superintendent, class leader and steward. His entire life being passed in Centre county, he is numbered among its most valued citizens who have been devoted. to the public welfare; and his honorable, upright life has won him a host of warm personal friends. He has manifested the same loyalty in days of peace as in days of war, and all who know him have for him the highest regard. J. Willis, the elder son of Col. Weaver, married Miss Blanche Holmes, daughter of Robert F. and Bethsheba Holmes, and they have two sons: Ralph and Max. James H., the younger son of Col. Weaver, married Alice M. Wagner, daughter of John M. Wagner, of Boggs township, and they have seven children: J. Fred Weaver, Stella, Nellie, Edith, Clarence, Mary Margaret and Paul, all yet living except Mary Margaret, who died October 27, 1897.