Biographical Sketch of William A. WEIGEL (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 775-6. "WILLIAM A. WEIGEL, the capable and experienced foreman in the factory of the American Wood-paper Company at Spring City, is the second son and third child of Gideon and Mary (Vocht) Weigel, and was born at Spring City, this county, June 3, 1844. He received a good primary education in the public schools at Spring City, which was afterward supplemented by a course of study i na superior night school at Dakota, Stephenson county, Illinois. At the age of fourteen he began a life for himself as a driver on the towpath of the old Schuylkill canal, where he remained for three summers, and then entered the employ of Ladd & Georges, at the paper factory in Spring City. He remained with that firm until the works passed into the hands of the American Wood-paper Company, in 1865, when he became an employee of the latter firm, and, with the exception of about six years, has been connected with their paper factory ever since. In 1867 he went to Illinois, where he learned the painter's trade and re- mained a couple of years. Returning to Pennsylvania, he worked in the paper factory until 1872, when he accepted a position in the Buckwalter stove works at Royer's Ford, Montgomery county, and spent four years at that place. In 1876 he renewed his connection with the American Wood- paper Company, and for a period of twelve years has been foreman of their factory at Spring City. They employ a force of about fifty men, and manu- facture all grades of book, envelope, writing and card papers. The product is first-class in every particular, and finds a ready sale in the best markets of this country. Politically Mr. Weigel was formerly a dem- ocrat, but is now inclined to be independent, supporting the men and measures which in his judgment are best calculated to advance the public welfare. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is also prominent in secret society circles, being a member of Spring City Lodge, No. 553, Free and Accepted Masons; Phoenix Lodge, No. 212, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and LaFayette Castle, No. 59, Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is grand trustee of the Grand Castle of Pennsylvania, and has held this position nearly five years. "On December 25, 1870, Mr. Weigel was married to Kate Epright, a daughter of James Epright, of Spring City. She died in 1876, leaving no children. In 1878 he was married again, this time wedding Mary Keiter, youngest daughter of Jacob Keiter, also of Spring City. By this union he has a family of four children: Archie H., Lille, Ida and Merrill. "The Weigels are of German descent, but have resided in Pennsylvania since early times. Peter Weigel, paternal grandfather of William A., was a native of York county, this State, where he grew up and was educated. In early manhood he removed to Union county, settling near Lewisburg, where he followed his trade of shoemaking for a number of years, dying about 1846, at the age of seventy-two years. He married Christina Hause, and reared a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters: Peter, Elias, Jesse, Gideon, Elizabeth, Lydia, Sarah and Rachel. "Gideon Weigel (father) was born in Union county, this State, November 12, 1813, and now resides in Spring City, this county. He was reared and educated in his native county, but removed to Chester in 1838, settling near Spring City. While yet a young man he learned the trade of carpenter, and followed that occupation all his active life. Since 1890 he has prac- tically retired from business of all kinds and is living a quiet life. In politics he is a democrat, and in religion a Lutheran, having been an ac- tive member of that church for many years. In 1839 he married Mary Vocht, a daughter of Godfrey Vocht, of Union county. She is still living, being now in the seventy-third year of her age. To them was born four sons and two daughters: Eliza, now the widow of Isaac Palmer, who lives with her parents in Spring City; Charles, living near Springton, New Jersey, where he is employed as 'finisher' in a paper factory; William A., the subject of this sketch; John A., now a resident of Columbia, Lancaster county; Samuel, who died in childhood; and Ellen, living with her parents in Spring City."