BIO: JACOB WEAST, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 368-369
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    JACOB WEAST, a prosperous retired farmer residing at Newville, was born in
  the township of Hopewell, Cumberland county, Nov. 12, 1837, a son of Leonard
  and Catherine (Nickey) Weast.
    
    Leonard Weast, the father, was born in Germany in 1800, and when only seven
  years of age was brought to America by his parents. The family located on a
  farm near Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania, and there they remained fourteen
  years. Leonard Weast was originally a cooper, but later learned the trade of
  distilling in Newton, Cumberland county, under Stoff Au, and afterward
  engaged in the latter business on his own account, continuing it for twenty
  years, when he sold it and turned his attention to farming, having purchased
  a farm in Mifflin township, to which he removed in 1845. In the spring of
  1866 he removed to the borough of Newville, where he died in 1882. His farm,
  which he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation, contained 150
  acres, and had upon it a number of excellent buildings. In politics Mr. Weast
  was a Republican. His religious affiliations were with the Bethel Church. Mrs.
  Catherine (Nickey) Weast died in 1842, in her thirty-fifth year, the mother of
  these children: Jacob, Mary J., Eva A., Rebecca, Abraham and George, all now
  deceased except Jacob Weast.
    
    Jacob Weast passed his youth upon the homestead, and obtained a fair
  education at the Craig schoolhouse in Southampton township, Cumberland
  county. He left school inhis sixteenth year, and assisted his father on the
  farm until his twenty-second year, at which time he was married and settled
  on a farm in Hopewell township. In 1864 he enlisted in Company K, 12th Pa.
  Cavalry, Col. Geary commanding. The regiment was placed in the army of Gen.
  Sheridan, in the valley of Virginia, and he was largely engaged in garrison
  duty, guarding important points already taken. He served faithfully until
  June, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Cumberland county,
  he located in Mifflin township, on his father's old homestead, and there
  engaged in stock raising and general farming until 1888, when he moved to
  Upper West Pennsboro and bought the farm known as the old Ahl farm, adjoining
  the corporate limits of Newville. It comprises 105 acres of excellent land, on
  which are a fine, substantial brick dwelling, a large bank barn and good
  outbuildings. While residing on the farm Mr. Weast was a breeder of fine
  Percheron horses, and when he left that place he disposed of his stock at
  excellent prices. Since his removal to his present home he has lived
  partially retired, although he looks after this and two other farms, the
  latter located in Mifflin township.
    
    Children as follows were born to Mr. Weast's marriage with Louvina,
  Christlieb, of Mifflin township, daughter of Jacob and Julian (Morret)
  Christlieb: George B., now a tinsmith of Harrisburg; Minerva A., wife of
  Cullen Alexander, of Carlisle; Minnie, at home; William, deceased; Ervin, a
  baker in Carlisle; Albert, who resides in Idaho, where he is engaged in
  farming; Clara, now Mrs. David Heberlig, of Mifflin township; Thomas T., a
  farmer; Howard, in the employ of a wholesale hood store in Philadelphia, Pa.,
  and Levi I., of Shippensburg, Pa., in the implement business.
    
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.	369
    
    In politics Mr. Weast is a stanch Democrat, and he takes, a very active
  interest in local, state and county politics. He was for ten years tax
  collector of Mifflin township. Fraternally he is a member of Newville Lodge,
  I. O. O. F., and of Joshua W. A. Sharp Encampment, No. 371, G. A. R., of
  which he served for some time as commander. Mr. Weast is a very acceptable
  member of the Lutheran Church at Newville, of which he is a firm supporter,
  and he is widely known and well liked throughout his community.