CHRISTIAN WEBER.

View Portrait of Mr. & Mrs. Christian Weber

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         Christian Weber, who for many years has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Louisa county, was born in Germany on the 8th of January, 1847, and is a son of George and Frederica (Hartman) Weber, also natives of the fatherland. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1849, making their way westward to Louisa county and arriving in Port Louisa with two other families. Their combined assets amounted to only seven dollars. The other men immediately obtained employment in the packing house at Wapello but Mr. Weber worked at his trade of blacksmith, and by means of rigid economy they were later able to buy forty acres of land near Wapello, in the operation of which Mr. Weber engaged for several years. Subsequently disposing of his interest he bought one hundred and twenty acres in the vicinity of Long creek, this county, where he resided until his demise in 1866, when he had attained the age of sixty-one years. The mother of our subject had passed the eighty-seventh anniversary of her birth when she died in 1903. Of the eight children in the family four are living: Hannah, the widow of Henry Deppe, of Louisa county; Christian; Caroline, who married John Storey, of Nebraska; and John H., who is living in Louisa county. Those deceased are as follows: Henrietta, Amelia and the two eldest who died in Germany.

         As he was only two years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, Christian Weber has spent practically his entire life in the county where he is now residing, obtaining his education in its district schools. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, assisting in the cultivation of the homestead. In 1872 he began working for himself and by means of thrift and diligence had acquired sufficient means at the time of his father’s death to buy the interest of all the other heirs, except that of his brother John, in the old farm. When his youngest brother attained his majority Mr. . . .

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. . . Weber sold the farm to him and bought one hundred and thirty-five acres adjoining Wapello. He has a very fine piece of property here, upon which he has made all of the improvements and engages in general farming and stock-raising.

         On the 30th of Mach, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Weber and Miss Ella J. Peters, a daughter of John and Sarah (Twigg) Peters. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Peters, the order of their birth being as follows: Ella J.; Edward L., who is residing in Nebraska; and Katie and Annie, both of whom are deceased; William, who is living in Louisa county; Minnie, deceased; Charles, who is living in Minnesota; John, of Missouri; Ida, the wife of Joseph Hammond, of Louisa county; and George, also of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weber have been born six daughters and three sons: Effie, who married William A. Miller, of Maryville, Missouri; Anna, who is teaching school in Gregory, South Dakota; Sadie, the wife of Leonard J. Shipman, of Butte, Nebraska; George, who is living in Columbus Junction, Iowa; Nellie, who died at the age of two years; Edward, who died at one year of age; Benjamin, who is living in Whitman, Nebraska; and Lena and Grace, who are at home.

         Both Mr. and Mrs. Weber hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political support he gives to the republican party. He is one of the progressive citizens of his community always taking an active and helpful interest in township matters and has for twenty-two years served as a trustee. A man of limitless energy and definite purpose, Mr. Weber has so capably directed his activities as to become recognized as one of the successful and substantial citizens of Wapello county.