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Charles A. Weed

CHARLES A WEED, a farmer and stock raiser residing on section 5, Center Township, dates his residence in this county from 1874, having prior to that time resided in Green County, Wis. He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1843. The Weed family is of French descent and was founded in America at an early day. His father, Dennis Weed, was born in Connecticut and by profession was a physician and surgeon. He wedded Mrs. Mary Kuhn, who was of German descent and a native of Pennsylvania. Her father enlisted in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary War and served until its close. At an early day about the year 1832, Dennis Weed emigrated to Ohio, where for some sixteen years he made his home, going to Illinois in 1848. Two years later he effected a settlement in Wisconsin, and from 1859 to 1876 resided in Green County, that State. In the latter year he came to Fayette County, Iowa, but after a short time returned to Green County, where his death occurred in 1877. He had laid his wife to rest in 1870. The children are C. A. of this sketch and Rachel E., now Mrs. Wheeler of Brush Creek, Fayette County.

Among the wild scenes of frontier life Charles Weed was reared to manhood and in a pioneer log schoolhouse where little was taught except the rudimentary branches, he acquired his education. He commenced farming for himself in Wisconsin but his labors in that direction were interrupted by his enlistment for the late war. In Green County in 1862, he offered his services to the Government and was assigned to Company B, Thirty-First Wisconsin Infantry. His regiment was attached to the Western army, serving there until 1863, when it was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. With his comrades Mr. Weed participated in the battle of Atlanta, the siege of Savannah and was with Sherman on the march to the sea and in the Carolina campaign. He received a gun-shot wound at Bentonville, N. C., the last battle of the war. He then participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., in 1865, the most brilliant military pageant ever seen on the face of the globe, and in Madison, Wis., received his discharge.

Returning to Green County, Mr. Weed once more took his place behind the plow. In 1867, he was there married, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Chilton, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Joshua and Nancy (Brazzil) Chilton, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. They were married in Tennessee and at an early day removed to Illinois where they resided until 1833, which year witnessed their arrival in Wisconsin. Mr. Chilton served in the War of 1812, and in 1816 visited Illinois. He made his home in Wisconsin for many years and died in Fayette County, Iowa, in 1880. The previous year his wife was called to her final rest. He was well known in Green County, Wis., and took rank among its respected citizens.

Mr. and Mrs. Weed began their domestic life in the Badger State, where he continued his farming operations for several years. Two children have been born unto them, daughters, Permelia Jane and Mary A. As before stated, Mr. Weed, accompanied by his family sought a home in Fayette County in 1874. For six years he farmed in West Union Township, and in 1880 purchased eighty acres of raw land that he has since transformed into a fine farm, improving it by good buildings and beautiful shade trees that add not a little to its appearance. A comparatively short time has passed since he became owner of the farm but in the township there is not another eighty-acre tract better cultivated. In politics Mr. Weed has never taken an active part but at the polls supports the Republican party. He is now serving as Township Assessor and is Treasurer of the School Board, of which he was Secretary for six years. Socially he is a member of Randalia Lodge, No. 177, I. O. O. F., in which he served as N. G., and also belongs to Center Post, No. 276, G. A. R. of Randalia. In that order he has filled a number of offices, including that of Post Commander. A progressive and public-spirited man, he takes an interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of town and county and is a popular citizen and well liked by his many acquaintances.