BIO: James Wallace WEIR, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

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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, page 336.
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  WEIR, JAMES WALLACE, son of Samuel Weir, who served as an officer in 
the war of the Revolution, was born August 9, 1805, at Harrisburg, Pa.; 
died March 14, 1878.  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 the 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, a period of 
over forty-four years.  As a bank officer and a financier he gained an 
enviable distinction for his uniform courtesy, for unimpeachable 
integrity, 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.  But not alone as a banker was he distinguished.  
He was gifted with rare social qualities and a graceful wit, which made 
him one of the most companionable of men.  In movements for the 
reformation of society he was always foremost, not only giving his time 
and labor, but contributing freely of his means to the accomplishment 
of what he thought a philanthropic purpose.  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 high order, and he frequently wrote for the press; 
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.  After his death "Home Worship," a 
book of prayer for the family circle, was published.  In the 
Presbyterian church, of which he was nearly forty-four years an elder, 
as superintendent of the Sabbath-school for a similar period, and in 
every walk and pursuit in life he was active, energetic, consistent, 
pure in character and lofty in purpose.  Mr. Weir married Mrs. Hanna A. 
(Fahnestock) Mahany, who died February, 1872.