James D. Weir 1863-1926

WEIR, WADE, CHAMBERS, SORUM

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/6/2011 at 23:18:23

James D. Weir Passed Away on Thursday
Fifty-eight Years a Resident of Emmet County
Was Ill Only Short Time
One of the Finest Men We Ever Knew – Funeral Held Saturday Afternoon
This community was very much grieved Thursday morning when word came from the hospital that James D. Weir had passed away during the night. Few Estherville people knew of his sickness or that he had been in a hospital for two weeks being treated for diabetis. Deceased was one of Estherville’s most highly respected citizens and all who knew him mourn his death. He was born at Ayr, Ontario, Canada, on August 3rd, 1863. His parents were David and Christian Weir. The family came to Armstrong in 1878 and settled on a farm between here and Huntington, about seven miles northeast of here and resided in the county until the father and mother passed away. There were nine children in the family, eight brothers and one sister. The deceased members of the family are Sister Anna, Robert and William. The living members are, Mathew Weir, Macleod, Canada; Geo. A. Weir, Dunnell, Minn.; Henry Weir, Windom, Minn.; Rev. A. Valentine Weir, Portland, Oregon, and six grandchildren are also left to mourn his death. James D. Weir, deceased, was married on May 18th, 1889, to Miss Libbie Wade, the ceremony taking place in Estherville. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Weir. They are Roy A. Weir, Emmetsburg, Iowa; Mrs. Rene Chambers, Huntington; Ruby, at home; Mrs. Rose Sorum, Estherville; Richard A. Weir, Northgate, Canada, and Raymond Weir, Estherville. The Wade and Weir families were considered among the best people in Emmet county and James D. Weir has been known to Emmet county people all his life. He had made his home in this county all the time since coming here with his parents in 1868 and a more highly respected citizen could not be found in this community. He farmed near Huntington for many years and later conducted a store at that place. He has been a successful man all his life. He left Huntington a few years ago and has been a resident of Estherville ever since, in business here part of the time. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and also the Knights of Pythias. He passed away at one a.m. on the morning of April 1st. He was a man who loved his family and his friends and will be greatly missed by all. Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church on Saturday afternoon at three o’clock in charge of Rev. P. A. Davies and members of the orders to which he belonged. A large concourse of sympathizing friends followed the remains to their last resting place in Oak Hill Cemetery. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the family and bereaved relatives. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, April 7, 1926)

After a short illness James D. Weir one of Emmet county’s pioneer citizens passed away at the hospital in this city on last Thursday, April 1st. Mr. Weir had apparently not been in poor health until he was taken ill some thirty days ago.

Mr. Weir was born in Ayr, Ontario, Canada, on August 3, 1863, a son of Mr. and Mrs. David Weir. With his parents he came to Emmet County when a small boy and they located on a farm near Armstrong n 1868 and resided there until 1878 when they came to Estherville. The father purchased a farm near Eagle Lake and they resided there. Mr. Weir remained with his parents until of age. During that time he attended the schools of Emmet County and Estherville.

Mr. Weir was one of a family of nine, seven brothers and one sister, the sister, Anna, and three brothers, Robert, Samuel and William, having gone before. Those still living are Matt Weir, of McCleod, Canada, Henry Weir of Windom, Minn.; Rev. V. A. Weir, of Portland, Oregon; Geo. A. Weir, of Dunnell, Minn.

Mr. Weir was united in marriage to Miss Libbie Wade, of Jackson County, Minn. To this union were born six children: Roy, Rene, Ruby, Richard, Rose and Ray.

The deceased has been known in politics in this county having served on the board of supervisors. He was a member of the Modern Woodman of America. The family were members of the Presbyterian church. For years Mr. Weir and his sons had a prosperous hardware and implement store in Huntington. After closing out the business he with his remaining family moved to this city.

The funeral services were held Saturday from the Presbyterian church the Rev. Davies officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, April 7, 1926)