History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with Sketches of its
Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil,
Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons and
Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 973, Young Hickory Township
Wm. Weaver, who died the past spring (1879) at his residence in Young
Hickory tp., came to this county at a very early day. He was a native
of Pennsylvania. His wife was Polly Cornwell, of that State. Their
children are: Abigail, Isaac, Joshua, David, Nancy and Mary.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 577-578 & 581; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William R. Weaver. This name will be at once recognized by
the majority of our readers as that of one of the leading
agriculturists of Fulton County. In addition to general farming
he makes a specialty of raising Shropshire sheep, having some of the
finest animals of this breed to be found in the United States, many of
them imported. On account of his interest in this work he has
bestowed upon his estate the name of Shropshire Lawn. It consists
of one hundred and fifty acres, which are tilled in the most thorough
manner and are adorned with a fine set of buildings, second to none in
the township. They are complete in all their appointments, and
the dwelling is surrounded with all that goes to make a home pleasant
and attractive.
Our subject is a representative of a prominent and highly
respected family, whose identification with the early development of
this county proved a valuable factor in its civilization. Going
back in the paternal line three generations we come to the Hon. Isaac
Weaver, of the Keystone State, whose son William came to this county in
1835 and died at Young Hickory April 11, 1879. He was accompanied
hither by a son, Isaac, who had been born in Green County, Pa., July
13, 1819. This Isaac Weaver was married in Peoria County,
December 13, 1838, to Miss Harriet C. Reeve, whose natal day was July
10, 1811, and birthplace, Plattsburg, Clinton County, N. Y. The
young couple settled in Deerfield Township, this county, and a few
years later built just across the line in Young Hickory Township.
They remained there until 1857, then removed to Prairie City, McDonough
County, where Mrs. Weaver died January 27, 1879. Mr. Weaver
survived until January 28, 1890, breathing his last in the same city.
Isaac Weaver was highly respected by all who knew him, being
upright and honorable in all his dealings, interested in the true
welfare of those about him, and ever ready to give counsel and advice
to the many who sought it at his hands. He was well read on all
subjects, possessed of sound judgment and Christian character. He
filled various offices in Young Hickory Township, among them being that
of Supervisor, and was Justice of the Peace in Prairie City for many
years. He was also Notary Public and a successful Pension
Agent. He came very near winning the race for the office of
County Judge in McDonough County. He took an active interest in
the Sunday-school work. His wife was also identified with the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Weaver consisted of six
children, the third of whom is the subject of this biographical notice
- Eliza M., the first-born, is the wife of George W. Beer; Mary E., the
second child, died when twenty-one years old; Harriet C. is the wife of
Samuel S. King; Henry C. died when about a year old; Isaac F. married
Miss Lydia Brinkerhoff, and resides in Arkansas County, Ark.
William R. Weaver was born in Young Hickory Township, this
county, January 20, 1845. He was about twelve years old when his
parents removed to Prairie City, wherein he grew to manhood and
continued to live until his marriage. He assisted his father, who
operated a grain elevator, until a few months after his majority, when
he established a home of his own in Young Hickory Township. After
living there about five years he, in the fall of 1870, removed to
Canton Township, settling on section 6, where he has since
remained. He possesses the progressive ideas of the age, and
makes of his agricultural pursuits both an art and a science. He
therefore proves successful in his chosen calling, gaining from the
fertile soil abundant crops of excellent quality. His flock of
sheep is one of the fines in the entire State and the source of a good
income. The other stock is of course excellent, and the machinery
used upon the place of the most approved models.
The marriage of our subject was solemnized in Canton Township
February 1, 1866, his companion in the interesting event being Miss
Ellen Leeper. Her family, like that of her husband, is one of
eminent respectability and has been identified with the development of
this county for more than half a century. Mrs. Weaver received
unexcelled home training and good educational advantages, and is
therefore well qualified to fill her place at the head of the
household. She joins with her husband in exercising the most
generous hospitality, and all who cross their threshold depart with
pleasing memories of her grace as a hostess and devotion as a
parent. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have two sons - Frank E. and Loran E.
The parents of Mrs. Weaver were Thomas and Eliza (Lake)
Leeper. The father was born in Ohio in 1801, and the mother in
New Jersey, September 9, 1809. Their marriage took place in
Hamilton County, Ohio, January 18, 1826, and there they made their home
ten years. They then removed to this county, arriving in
September, 1836, and locating in Fairview Township. There the
beloved husband and father died, November 9, 1859, his dying hours
cheered by the hope of a blessed immortality. He was a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his widow is
identified. Besides Mrs. Weaver the family of Mr. and Mrs. Leeper
included - Jane, who became the wife of David Weaver and died in
Canton, Canton Township; Mary A., wife of John Williamson; Catherine,
wife of J. P. Dean; Charlotte, wife of Thomas Pool, whose home is in
Union Township; William, who married Kate Rose and lives in Ellisville
Township; George, who was killed at Vicksburg, having been a member of
the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, known as the Board of Trade
Regiment; Ann, wife of Barney Greenwell, of Farmington Township; Sarah,
wife of Andrew McBride, of Farmer’s City; Adeline, who lives in Canton
Township.
Mr. Weaver finds time in the midst of his extensive personal
interests to bear an active part in the political affairs of the
neighborhood, in educational matters and in all movements which tend to
the general welfare. He is now School Trustee and has been
Director. He votes the Republican ticket, and the hindrances must
be many and great that keep him away from the polls. He belongs
to the American Shropshire Registry Association. Personally, he
is one of the most genial, companionable men, strictly honorable in his
dealings, and therefore highly regarded by all whom he has to do.
