SAMUEL G. WEAVER.
Samuel G. Weaver is widely known as one of the early citizens of Audubon county, Iowa, who, for nearly fifty years, has been a valued factor in the development of the state of Iowa and prominently identified with the various interests of the community. His well-directed energies in the practical affairs of life, the capable management of his own business interests, and his sound judgment, have demonstrated what may be accomplished by a man who works with one end in view. Mr. Weaver often has persevered in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and he has proven that he is the possessor of those innate qualities which do not fail to bring success.
Samuel G. Weaver was born on January 22, 1856, in Lena, Stevenson county, Illinois, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Grossman) Weaver, natives of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and Center county, Pennsylvania. They were very early settlers in Stevenson county, Illinois, driving through from Pennsylvania in covered wagons. The father was a blacksmith in Pennsylvania, but took up farming in Illinois until after the Civil War and then moved to Lena, where he engaged in the lumber business for several years. Later, he gave up his business and engaged in the general mercantile affairs which he followed until he died at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years.
Samuel G. Weaver received his education in the schools of Lena, but being different from the most of boys, he did not care to while away his moments in his father's store, as he spent most of his vacations on the farm. Mr. Weaver lived at home until the spring of 1876, and in March of that year, he came west to Audubon county, Iowa, where his father had given him eighty acres of land. Mr. Weaver got as far as Des Moines on his way, and the mud and clay got so bad that he was compelled to ship his horses and wagon the rest of the way. He had been to the county in 1874, when he helped some neighbors drive cattle through from Illinois. The land on which he located was the Frank Harrington homestead, which was one of the very first farms settled in Audubon county, and was located three miles north of Exira. In November, Mr. Weaver went back to Illinois, and was married, after which he returned to Audubon county, and lived in Greeley township ever since, with the exception of two years, during which he lived in Exira township.
Samuel G. Weaver was married on November 7, 1876, in Lena, Stevenson county, Illinois, to Mattie Johnson, who was born near Argyle, Wisconsin, and who was a daughter of Robert and Caroline (Peterman) Johnson, both natives of England, and who were the parents of five children. The mother of these children died when they were all quite young, and the children were then scattered, Mrs. Weaver having been bound out to a family by the name of Rockwell, living near Lena, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are the parents of four children: Lillie, born on February 10, 1878, married Lewis Bryan, and they live in Pomona, California, and have three children, Wyman, Rodger and Paul; Sidney R., born on March 5, 1881, lives at home; Anna, born on July 23, 1883, and Maud, born on September 1, 1887, the last named living at home with their parents.
Mr. Weaver is engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of raising thoroughbred registered Poland-China hogs, and also specializing in Plymouth Rock chickens, in which line he has been more than ordinarily successful. Mr. Weaver has added to his original land holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of good land. His son also owns one hundred and sixty acres. His home is modern and is equipped with a furnace, gas lights, waterworks and all present-day conveniences. His farm buildings are all of the best type, and most of the incidental work on the farm is done by the latest improved machinery. Mr. Weaver milks an average of fifteen cows the year round, and has met with gratifying success in his dairying operations. Mr. Weaver has considerable property in southern California, where he spends most of the winters.
Samuel G. Weaver is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is independent in politics, although he had been a Republican earlier in life. He has served as township trustee, but has never been an office seeker, and has never particularly cared about holding office. The Weaver family are members of the Evangelical Association church, and take an active part in the work of this church, and are loyal and liberal contributors to its support.
Samuel G. Weaver is one of the most prominent men in Greeley township, Audubon county. He is a man who is admired for his many worthy qualities. He is interested in public improvements and has been a foremost leader in developing a wholesome community spirit in Greeley township, where he has made his home for so many years.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 461-463.
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