Welcome to
Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
|
|
|
|
Captain Jacob F. Weaver The
record herein presented is that of a man who was a few years ago among the best
known and most influential of the citizens of Colfax, whose life is in all
respects honorable and a worthy example.
Responding to his country's need in his youth, he served faithfully in
her armies, and for his bravery and efficiency he won promotion from the ranks
to the command of a company; at the close of the war engaging in business, he
proved his capability, and easily won success; he was always ready to aid in the
development of his community; and though his death seemed untimely, yet he had
completed a full life, and in deeds and works had lived more than many who have
lived longer. Jacob
F. Weaver was born in Indiana, the son of George H. and Elizabeth (West) Weaver,
on December 5, 1837. His mother was
a sister of William West, a merchant of Colfax. Both his parents died when he was an infant, and he was
reared to maturity by his grandmother West. At the outbreak of the Civil War he
enlisted at Mechanicsville, Iowa, in the Fifth Iowa Infantry, in which he served
until the regiment was almost annihilates, and he was severely wounded. On his
return after the healing of his wound he was transferred to Fifth Iowa Cavalry,
was promoted, and was mustered out as first lieutenant, acting as captain.
He took part in twenty-six battles and skirmishes, and went with Sherman
to the sea. After the war he was a
leading member of the Grand Army at Colfax. In
1865 Captain Weaver came to Newton, Iowa, and engaged in the drug business for
three years. In 1868 he came to
Colfax, and bought out the interest of Mr. Kennedy in the firm of West &
Kennedy, in the mercantile business, the new firm being West & Weaver.
Until September 1883, Captain Weaver remained a member of the firm, which
had remarkable success, and was during that time the leading business firm in
the city. Captain Weaver accumulated a fair amount of property in
Colfax. He was especially active in
the Republican Party, and did considerable work for his party all over the
County of Jasper, which was effective, and ranked him as one of the most
sucessful workers of the party. He
never sought any local office, but was postmaster of Colfax for seven years,
dying before his second term expired. Mrs.
Weaver was appointed postmaster from 1894 to 1898.
Captain Weaver died on January 6, 1893, at the age of fifty-five. His
loss was deeply felt by the community. Captain
Weaver was first married to Kate M. Dee, of Colfax. After her death he was married to Adella V. West, of Colfax,
a daughter of Joseph T. West, a pioneer of Jasper County, and a grain merchant
of Colfax. Joseph T. West was born
in Hicks County, Pennsylvania, and was married in Mount Vernon, Iowa, to
Susannah Hahn, the daughter of Daniel S. and Permelia (Epperson) Hahn.
Mr. Hahn was an early settler of Lynn County, Iowa, and came in the
forties from Virginia. His wife was a native of Kentucky.Joseph T. West died in
Colfax, in 1900, at the age of seventy-one.
Mrs. Weaver survives her husband. Captain
and Mrs. Weaver became the parents of three children: Roscoe B. Weaver graduated
from Simpson College in 1905 and served as a first lieutenant in the Philippine
constabulary for about four years from 1905 to 1909. For three years of this
time Mrs. Weaver resided in the Philippines with her son.
He is now a student at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, taking
post-graduate work. Gail S. Weaver is deceased.
DiEtta J. Weaver is in school in Colfax. Captain
Weaver was among the foremost men of Colfax in all respects, and had strong
faculties of leadership. He was a
progressive business man, active in public interests, and a kind and loving
husband and father. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 570. |
|
|
