BIO: James Wallace WEIR, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 229-229.
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  WEIR, JAMES WALLACE, youngest son of Samuel and Mary (Wallace) Weir, 
was born August 9, 1805, at Harrisburg, Pa.  He received a good 
education, excelled as a scholar and his taste for study and reading 
drew him toward the printing office.  He learned the art with John S. 
Wiestling, and after his apprenticeship spent some time in the 
printing-house of the Messrs. Johnson, of Philadelphia.  On November 
26, 1833, having been chosen teller of the Harrisburg Bank, he accepted 
that position, holding it until October 30, 1844, when he was chosen 
cashier of the bank.  When the institution became a national bank in 
1874, he was unanimously elected its cashier, which office he held 
until his death, which occurred at Harrisburg, March 14, 1878, having 
been connected with the bank for over forty-four years.  As a bank 
officer and financier he gained an enviable distinction for his uniform 
courtesy and for ability of the highest order.  Few bankers in the 
Commonwealth can present a record equal to his in years of service, in 
successful administration of affairs through financial trouble, and for 
such rigid honesty.  He was gifted with rare social qualities and a 
graceful wit, which made him one of the most companionable of men.  To 
the poor and lowly he was always a kind and true friend and his 
charities, though not ostentatious, were made with a free and open 
hand.  His literary taste and ability were of a high order, and he 
frequently wrote for the press.  He was the author of several religious 
tracts, published by the American Sunday-school Union.  In 1838 
appeared a small volume, "Manual of Prayer," which was published with 
an introduction by Rev. Albert Barnes, of Philadelphia.  In 1854, "The 
Closet Companion" appeared, and passed through several editions.  In 
the Presbyterian church, of which he was many years an elder, as in 
every walk and pursuit in life, he was active, energetic, consistent, 
pure in character, and lofty in purpose.