Winneshiek County, Iowa  Genealogy Trails
 

HORACE SPANGLER WEISER
Horace Spangler Weiser, deceased, the pioneer banker of Winneshiek county, was born in York, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1827, his parents being Charles and Anna (Spangler) Weiser, the Indian interpreter of Colonial fame. The descent is through Philip, son of Conrad Weiser, to Jabeth, and to Samuel Weiser, Sr., the grandfather of our subject. Charles Weiser, father of Horace S. was a prominent merchant and banker of York, Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather, General Spangler, was a prominent citizen of Pennsylvania for more than fifty years.
Mr. H.S. Weiser, subject of this mention, had exceptional educational advantages when a youth, the schools of York, Pennsylvania, being among the oldest and best in the country. He entered Yale College in 1845, but owing to failing health did not finish the course was the original intention. In 1850 he began a course of law under York (Pennsylvania) preceptors, and was admitted to practice in 1852. The glowing accounts of the West which reached the old Atlantic States at this time filled Mr. Weiser with a desire to try his fortunes in the new country. He accordingly came to Decorah, Iowa, in 1855, and with a borrowed capital of $5,000 at once started the Winneshiek County Bank, a venerable private institution with which his name will always be associated. This is not only the oldest banking establishment in the county but also one of the first in northeastern Iowa, and the oldest in the State continuing under the same name. It is run to-day on practically the same rules laid down by our subject at its foundation, and during the past forty years of its existence it has been controlled by Mr. Weiser’s family, his widow being the president at this writing and since his death.
He was married at Fort Atkinson, Iowa, July 14, 1859, to Miss Louise M. Amy, a daughter of John and Cynthia (Smalley) Amy. Their children are: Anna Spangler, now Mrs. E.G. Carlisle, of Chicago. Charles John, the only son, is one of the solid business men of the community. He is assistant cashier of the Winneshiek County Bank, Decorah, Iowa, is president of the First National Bank, Lake Benton, Minnesota, and is a director of the First National Bank, of Tracy, Minnesota, and also of the First State Bank, of Elkton, South Dakota. He was married to Miss Abbie Bullis, November 30, 1893, and resides in Decorah, Iowa. Anna Louise, the youngest child, married Robert Jones, Esq., of Chicago.
Prior to the war, Mr. Weiser affiliated with the Democratic party, and after that he voted the Republican ticket. Although constantly urged to take office, he would never do so, but preferred to give his entire time to his business. His religious association was with the Protestant Episcopal Church, and he was zealous in his attendance, and for much of the time a church official. He was a Freemason, but never active in the order. Physically he was never a robust man; as stated above, his college career was cut short by his failing health; but he had almost wholly recovered when he came to Iowa, and retained good health until about three years before his death when it began to decline again. The end came suddenly, July 19, 1875. He had retired in his usual health and was found dead shortly afterward, an apoplectic stroke being the immediate cause.
In speaking of Mr. Weiser, the United States Biographical Dictionary says: “in his business, to which he gave his undivided attention, Mr. Weiser was very accommodating. He would often, long before regular hours open his bank, and reopen after hours, if by so doing he could oblige any person. Few people were more attentive to their calling, or more punctual and prompt in the discharge of obligations. So wedded was he to business that he paid little attention to politics except to vote, and more than once refused to accept office. He early identified himself with the interests of his beautiful Iowa home, took pride in the growth and material progress of the place, now a city of nearly 5,000 inhabitants, and lent his aid to every enterprise tending to develop the wealth of the country. Few men more public-spirited ever accumulated such a fortune. He was thoughtful and considerate, lenient toward his debtors, never taking advantage of their necessities; heedful of the wants of the poor and destitute; kindly in his feeling toward all; social and cheerful in his disposition.”
Source: "A Memorial & Biographical Record of Iowa", 1896, pages 755 - 756
Transcribed by Lisa Smalley

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