R M Weir

WEIR, WITTED, MCQUEEN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/11/2006 at 16:03:08

R M Weir, machinist and countryman, Boone is a native of Scotland, and was born on May 14, 1836, he resided in his native place until sixteen years of age, and then emigrated with his parents to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, he learned the trade of machinist with Dixon & Co, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, from here he went to Philadelphia and entered the employ of Merric & Co, and worked for eight months on the “Ironsides” from here he went to Brooklyn, New York and held an important position with the Couth Brooklyn Steam Engine and Boiler Works, and took charge of a large number of workmen in constructing vessels for the government, he had entire charge of the construction of sloops of war , Shawmut and Nyack, he afterward entered the service of the United States and became second assistant engineer on board of the steam sloop Nyack, belonging to the South Atlantic naval squadron, after the close of the war he was selected to make a foreign cruise, and in such service visited Africa and every seaport in South America, spending two months in the Straits of Magellan, after his return he again resumed his former occupation, but being impressed from the best sources of information he could obtain that the West at this time offered superior inducements, and a more lucrative field for his business, he made a tour of the States and finally decided to change his residence to this county, which decision he carried into effect in 1869, Mr Weir is a man of strict honor and integrity, and by pursuing a straightforward, upright course, has not only succeeded in building up a large business, but has the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, during the past year he has manufactured fifty tons of casting, he was married in 1871 to Miss Maggie Witted, a native of New York, their family consists of one child: Mabel McQueen, Mr and Mrs Weir are active members of the Presbyterian Church, of which the former is an elder

1880 Boone Co History Book