- MORTIMER G. WEAVER, a native of Clinton Township, now residing
in the village of that name,
- was born on the 9th day of July, 1840, and is a son of Griswold
and Rachel (TUTTLE) WEAVER, the former born near Deersfield,
N.Y., and the latter in Jefferson County, of the same State.
Their marriage was celebrated in Jefferson County, and in 1837
they started for what was then the far West, and located at Clinton
Corners, Rock County, where he built the first frame building
in the township. That structure is still standing in Clinton,
one of the few pioneer homes yet remaining, and is now owned
by L. L. HOOVER. Entering land from the government, Mr. WEAVER
at once began its development and in the course of time, by his
ceaseless industry and untiring labor, he has transformed the
wild prairie into a highly cultivated farm. He was an active
and progressive man, and in later years became the owner of large
landed possessions, and did much toward the upbuilding of Clinton.
In early life he was a Jackson Democrat, but when the Free Soil
party sprang into existence, he cast his lot with it, aided greatly
in the work of organization in 1856, and was among the first
to espouse the cause of Fremont, whose policy he greatly admired.
- Unto Mr. and Mrs. Griswold WEAVER were born four children,
two sons and two daughters, of
- whom Mortimer G., of this sketch, is the eldest; Olney F.,
who married Miss Eliza OLNEY, a native of Freeport, N.Y., died
in Rock County, Ellen J. died unmarried; and Jessie E. is the
wife of Samuel S. JONES, a prominent farmer of this community.
Mr. WEAVER departed this life in January, 1872. His death marked
a sad event in the history of Clinton, which had so long been
his home and his pride, and to the prosperity of which he had
so liberally contributed. Just and prompt in all his dealings,
courteous and considerate, he possessed the confidence and kindly
feeling of both young and old, rich and poor. Mrs. WEAVER is
still living beloved by all who know her.
- The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in this
county, his younger years being passed
- in much the same manner as other farmer lads. Leaving the
parental roof, he was united in marriage in July, 1863, with
Miss Mary O. ROGERS, a daughter of Hiram ROGERS, of Cortland
County, N.Y., where her birth occurred in 1842. Five children
have blessed the union of this worthy couple, four of whom are
living - Arthur E., Floy L., Roy G., and Fred B. The second child,
Irving T., is deceased.
- Mr. WEAVER is a strong supporter of the republican party,
and has been honored with several
- local offices of trust, including that of Township Clerk
and Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors, discharging
the duties of both positions with promptness and ability. He
can well claim the honor of being one of the pioneer settlers
of the county, having passed his entire life, almost fifty years,
within its borders. He has witnessed the great progress and growth
which have taken place, and the development which has transformed
the barren prairies into rich and fertile farms. He has seen
its log cabins replaced by commodious and elegant residences,
and can remember the time when he could drive from his home across
the plains to Janesville with no fence or house to bar his progress.
Mr. WEAVER is the owner of a beautiful farm adjoining the village
of Clinton, which comprises 125 acres of arable land under a
high state of cultivation, and which is stocked with Holstein
cattle, of which he makes a specialty.
-
- [Transcriber's note: In the second paragraph is states
the second child Olney F. married Miss Eliza Olney. I just wanted
you to know that this IS exactly what was written. If this information
is correct, it surely is a big coincidence of such an unusual
name used as a given name of one person, and as a surname of
a spouse.]
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 434-435.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|