John W Weikel

WEIKEL

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/13/2010 at 17:11:59

John W Weikel a merchant and grain dealer, conducting business at Jordon Station, was born in Preble county, Ohio near Camden, in November 1866, a son of Joseph and Eliza (Huffman) Weikel. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Weikel, was a native of Pennsylvania and in early life removed to Ohio, settling in Butler county. There he took up land which is still owned by his son Jacob. The grandparents died in the Buckeye state, and they are survived by seven children, their sons John and Joseph having passed away. The former went with his father to Preble county, Ohio an purchased a farm in 1865. He married Miss Leiter and continued a resident of that county until his death. Samuel, who married a Kentucky girl, is living in Montgomery, Indiana, at tha advanced age of eighty-seven. Susan, the widow of John Smith is also living in Preble county. Mrs Kate Kerns is a resident of the same county. Jacob, who married Martha Skenk, is upon the home farm. Daniel is living retired in Middletown, Ohio. Lydia is the wife of John Bailey.
Joseph Weikel was born on the old homestead farm in the Buckeye state, December 30, 1831, and attended the common schools there. He was employed at farm labor throughout the summer months and when twenty-one years of age began work at the Mason’s trade in connection with his brother in law Mr Brill. He followed that trade for five years. In 1858 he was married and removed to Madison county, Alabama, where he carried on farming for an extended period. In 1879 he became a resident of Champaign county, Illinois, settling in Champaign township, where he purchased 120 acres of land. His wife died there March 26, 1880, and in 1895 Mr Weikel came to Jordon, Boone county, where he joined his son John W in the establishment and conduct of a stock, grain and lumber business, in which he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred April 5, 1905. He was active in the affairs of the community, and his influence was always on the side of progress and improvement. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. The family numbered seven children: Lizzie, the wife of Charles Brill of Preble county, Ohio, Annie who is living in Danville, Illinois, John W, Lewis W a farmer of Hamilton county, Nebraska, who married Hattie E Weikel, Fran, a resident of Boone, Edward twin brother of Frank and a resident of Helper, Utah, who married Jennie Williams, who died leaving two children, Ethel and Mabel, the former now resident with her uncle John and Marvin who died in 1880.
John W Weikel was a pupil in the public schools of his native county and of Madison county, Alabama and also attended a private school in Champaign county, Illinois. When but nine or ten years of age he began work upon the farm, following the plow almost as soon as old enough to reach the plow handles. He received his first wages when sixteen years of age for digging a ditch, his salary being sixteen dollars per month, and he paid seven dollars for boots in which to do the work. He was employed in the way for a short time and then went to Nebraska., where he secured work in Hamilton county upon the farm of his uncle, who paid him eighteen dollars per months for nine months out of the year. He spent six years in that way and then returned to Champaign county, Illinois, settling at Staley Station, where he secured a position with B P Staley in the grain and lumber business. In 1895 he came to Jordon, Boone county, and in connection with his father and Mr Staley established the merchandising and grain business, of which he is now sole proprietor. From boyhood he has led a most industrious life, and the success he has acquired is attributable entirely to his own efforts. In the spring of 1899 the business was destroyed by fire, and Mr Weikel afterward built his present place, When his father died his interest was purchased by F G Brohling, but after two years John W Weikel bought our his partner and is now sole owner of the business, which has reached large and gratifying proportions, At the time of the fire he lost everything he had save his home. Undeterred by this deplorable circumstance, he resolutely set to work to retrieve his possessions, and the result is seen in his present prosperity. On August 1, 1901 Mr Weikel was married to Miss Dorothy Fitzgerald of Jackson township, Boone county, a daughter of Daniel and Dorothy Fitzgerald. They have one child, one Margaret. Mr Weikel is an independent voter, now is he identified through membership with any church or fraternal organization. He follows an independent course, nor has he the least wish to dictate to others what they should do. Those who have met him in business relations find him trustworthy as well as enterprising, and his example in this regard is, indeed, worthy of emulation. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents, and his life history indicates that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

1914 Boone County History Book