Copy of Newspaper clipping dated in ink 1931 Newspaper not identified Oobviously a p. from Obiituary collection as all names of obits on the p. start with W. Probably from Hancock Co., Illinois paper- contributed by Bev. Ruger.
DEATH IN THE MINISTRY
Rev. James Ephriam Weir was born in Vienna, Scott county, Indiana. on July 13, 1852. His father moved to Illinois in 1857. The son fraduated from Carthage College in the Spring of 1877. That fall he entered the Theeeeolopgical Seminary of the northwest, later known as McCormick. graduating in 1889. He married Margaret Ann Fletcher.
His work in the ministry was largely of home mission type. In 1887 he accepted a call to the church in Bluffton, Indiana, where he ministered to the Murray people part of the time. A change in climate was advised by the physician, and in 1893 the family moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado.
Organized churches developed from some of this work.
The Saliida church extended a call in 1895, which was accepted. At that time there was a Presbyterian Acadeny at Salida, and beside preachinng Sabbath aftenoons at Poncha, six miles west, Rev. Mr. Weir taught Latin, Greek and Bible during the week.
In 1899 the Synod of Colorado asked him to take the presidency of the College of the Ssouthwest, located at Del Norte. This was a school for Spanish-speaking students principally. Later, because of the lack of funds, the Board of Christian Education closed this work and put all effort in at Albuquerque, New Mexico.
At the close of six yers' faithful labor, a call was accepted from the church at University Place, Nebraska. Failing health compelled the pastor to resign, and he with his wife went back to Grand Junction, to make their home. The children were scattered, some married, others at school.
Loma, seventeen miles west of the Junction was for some time without a shepherd, and prevailed upon Rev. Mr. Weir to preach for them when he had sufficiently recovered his strength.
Leaving home on the early interurban on Sabbath., he was gone until almost midnight. This was kept up for nearly fourteen years. Very happy years.
Disposing of the home in Colorado in 1929, the father and mother went to San Leandro, California, so they could be near two of the children.
On April 22 19930 , they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, receiving many gifts and messaages from friends everywhere.
A bit later hhe was made happy by receiving congratulation on the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination.
His last contribution to the beloved work was on Easter, 1930, when Dr. Silsley of the First Church of Oakland California (now of Evannston) asked him to be one of seven ministers to speak on the seven says of Jesus on the Cross.
He was happy in every association with his church home, regretting iiiif he had to miss a service.
His health had been failing for some timem but he was confined to his bed only a few days.
Mrs. Weir resides at 522 Lewis Avenue, San Leandro, William A. making his home with her. The other children are George E. Weir, of Pueblo, Colorado; Mrs M. S. Johnson of Bismard, N. D. Mrs A. R. Hamilton, of San Francisco, Cal.; Mrs. C. B. Hill of Oakland, Cal; Mrs. J. A. Golden of Ephriam, Utah There are nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
The funeral seervices which were held on July 20, were conducted by Revl A, A, Mitchell, of the First Chuurch of Oakland, the pallbearers being men form the Bible Class of which Rev. Mr. Weir was a member.
"Faith of Our Fathers", and "My Faith Looks Up to Thee," two favorite hymns were sung by a soloist. Everything was done in simpliciity and digniity. just as it would have been wished by the one gone.
He was laid to rest in a beautiiful spot in thhe Oakland cemetery.
157. Oren Paul WEIR
Obituary: SERVICES FOR OREN PAUL WEIR TO BE tODAY
Funeral services for Orin P. (Paul) Weir, 63 of Waconia, Minn. will be held today at 2p.m. at the Fecht funeral home.
burial will be in Moss Ridge cemetery.
Weir died Tuesday in Waconia, Minn. A son of Dr. Willam A. and Ada E. Goodriich Weir., he was born Marcy 24 1891 at Blandsville. He married Viola Balzer, April 28, 1915 in Burlington.
Surviving are his widow, ; mother, Mr.s Ada Chamberlain of Keokuk; a brother Charles Chamberlain of Columbus, ohio, and two sisters, Mrs. C. C. Spaulding of Seattle, Washington and Mrs. W. E. Vance of Keokuk.Above Obituary sent by Bev. Ruger - noted on copy Aug 1954- point of conflict - Obit says Ada Chamberlain -= mother of Oren - we have Ada Ellen Goodrich b. 27 Nov 1866 d. 12 Nov 1956 in Keokuk, Iowa
The birth and death dates for this family are from a copy headed Record from
the Family Bible with notation in hadwriting "Evelyn gave me this list"sent by researcher Beverley Ruger, Marysville, Michigan
1 Nov 1850
Deed of Sale listing heirs of George Weir, deceased Deed Of Sale Washington Co, Indiana - Desc. Of George Weir, Register Of Deeds, County Court House Salem, Indiana, Deed Book W p. 487.
"1 November 1850 Register of Deed, County Court House, Salem, Indiana
Deed of sale from James G. Weir and Mary Ann his wife; Cozad Stark and Peggy Jane his wife; George W. Weir and Jane his wife; John J. and his Jane his wife; David F. Weir and Sarah his wife, John Robbinson and Nancy Elizabeth his wife , heirs and legal representatives at law of George Weir dec'd late of Washington County and State of Indiana of the first part to Robert A. Weir heir also of said dec'd of the second part." (Mary Matilda is not included in this deed of sale because she had died in 1847. She was first wife of Joseph McCoskey).By this time it was getting pretty crowded in Franklin Township Washington Co., Indiana and no more desirable land available and afordable in the Washington Co., Area. Land was available in Scott County and in other states. After the estate of George Weir was settled in 1850,
Volunteer Enlistment
State of Illinois, Martinsville
I George J. Weir born in Scott County in the State of Indiana aged Eighteen years and by occupation a farmer Do hereby acknowledge to have volunteered this fifteenth day of April 1864 to serve as a Soldier in the army of the United States of America, for the period of three years, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be established by law for volunteers. And I George Weir do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according, to the Rules and Articles of War.
Sworn and subscribed to at Maltoon, Ills
11th day of May 1864
Before Lt G.W. LynnE. M. Seiley
Surgeon 21st Ills Vol
Examining SurgeonI Certify,on honor, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, George J. Weir previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted: that, to the best of my judgement and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has Grey eyes, Light hair, Light complexion, is Five feet eight inches high.
Geo W. Lynn 1st Lt
21st Regiment of Ills Volt.I certify, on Honor, that I have carefully examined the above-named Volunteer, agreeably in the General Regulations of the Army, and that, in my opinion, he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would in any way disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
State of Kansas, Office of the Probate Judge of said County.
CLOUD COUNTY.
AFFIDAVID FOR MARRIAGE License.
George J. Weir , who now here makes application for Marriage License, addressed to any person authorized by law to join in marriage the said George J. Weir aged 32 years, and Sarah S. Nichols aged 21 years, bering by me first duly sworn, doeth say that George J. Weir was a resident have no wife living That Sarah S. Nichols is a resident of Clay oi Clay Co., Kansas and has no husband living.
And that they. the said George J. Weir and Sarah S. Nichols are not related to each other in the degrees prohibited by law, to wit: Parent and child, grand-parent and grand-child of any degree, brother and sister of either the one - half or of the whole blood, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, or first cousins - and that there exists no legal impedimennt to said marriage.
signed George J. Weiir
In Testimiony whereof, I the undersigned Judge of the Probate
Court in and for Cloud County, and ex-officiio clerk thereof,
{Seal} have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said
Court at my office this 7th day of January A. D. 1880
S. D. Honston Jr. .-------------------------------------Probate Judge
State of Kansas,
County of Cloud Office of the Probate Court Judge of said county.Be it remembered, that on the 7th day of January A. D. 1880 there was issued from the office of Said Probate Judge, a Marriage License of which the following is a true copy.
MARRIAGE LICENSE
Cloud County, State of Kansas.
January 7, 1880
To any Person Authorized by Law to Perform the Marriage Ceremony, Greeting
You are hereby authorized to join in Marriage George J. Weir of Cloud Co., Kansas, aged 30 years, and Sarah S. Nichols of Cloud Co., Kansas aged 21 years; and of this Llicense you will make due return to my office within thirty days.
(Seal) ____ S. D. Honston Jr.Probate Judge______________
And which said Marriage License was afterwards, to wit: on the 7th day of January A. D. 1880 returned to said Probate Judge, with the following certificate endorsed therreon, to wit.
State of Kansas,
County of Cloud
I. S. D. Honston Jr. Probate Judge do hereby certiiify, that in accordance with the authorization of the within Llicense, I did on the 7th day of January A. D. 1880 at unreadable __________
. in said county, join and unite in Marriage the within named George J. Weir -- and Sarah S. Nichols
Witness my hand and seal the day and year above writte.
Witness: S. D. Honston Jr. Probate Judge S. D. Honston Jr. probate Judge
1880 United States Census, Oakland, Cloud, Kansas
NA film # p. 283C
George J. Weir 33 Indiana farmer Father and mother both born Indiana
Sarah Weir wife 22 b. Iowa father and mother both born Ohio
Letter written by George J. Weir Jan 25 1906 to son John Weir and his wife Maude. Spelling & capitalization are copied as in letter.Pagosa Springs, Colo.Jan 25 1906
Dear Son and Daughter
i will drop you a few lines telling you how i am and how i got here i am as well as i was when i left and the air is bracing i took a hot plung at the springs for a half hour it is nice i got here two days ago i left chicago at 9 oclock got to kc at 8 that night and got to the home tuesday night at eight oclock staid till after breakfast wednesday went to KC on electric car took a train for the west at 9-15 that night run to Pueblo was their 36 hours left their 11-5 on the night run all night got in the San lowis ran at day light run to alamosa changed cars and run nearly all day in the mountains got to sublet and found out they was an enjine and 2 cars of track a head of us at the sumit at combies
so they took us back to alamosa that night it took 2 enjines to fech us back through the snow next morning a rotary *** went ahead of us with four enjines to it so we followed it and got to the sumit whar the reck was at 12 oclock we couldent go on till the reck was cleard and they wanted to take us back to alamosa again but one of the passengers went through the cars to se how many wanted to stay so their was 33 ov us that staid on the summit in one car and the balance of the train started back and only got as miles and stuck and was all night so we staid 3 days on the sumit til they cleard the reck the rail road had to feed us then the rotary went a head of us down western sloap till it got to pagosa junction we got their in the night laid their till half past d the next day then run 28 miles up to pagos Springs got hear at 8 o clock at night i am going with a man in the morning out to tom mees 18 miles he lives out their he has a slay every body goes on sleds and slays their is a foot of snow now som mornings it is 34 belo zero but their is no wind i dont suffer any more from the cold than i would in Kansas when it is 1 below i cant tell you how i will like this country till the snow goes of but i think i will like it it seames to be a helthy country their is lots of people heare 75 to 90 years old i am stopping with an old comrad that is 75 today well john i cant tell half in a letter that i have seen these hot springs is wonderful curosity in the main spring is 40 or 50 feet square up on nearly level ground bubbles and boils and steams and they say their is no bottom to it it would scald a purson to death if they got in it it is nice and warm after 10 oclock since i have bin hear it has bin clear the mountain senery is nice. but every thing is high board 10 dollars four week well maud i hope you and the baby are well i hope you did not have the delays i had but i feel as well as i did when i Started i think i will be able to go prospecting soon now i must stop and mail this you will half to rite me at pagosa springs for the present if you rite so excuse blunders and bad speeling Geo J. Weir
THE DAILY NEWS, Sunday March 11 1906 p. 8 Denver, Colorado
NO PITY IN HIS HEARTYoung Weir Put Body of his Uncle on Horse
and took it to Hiding PlaceSluggish Demeanor and Possibility of His Being Mentally Irresponsible
Prevent his Being Lynched --
Assassination one of the most Cold-BloodedPagosa Springs, Colo., March 10 -- Oral Weir, the confessed murderer of his uncle, Joseph Weir, begins to realize the desperate situation he is in and frequently gives way to his grief. He was well guarded last night in the county jail, but there now seems no immediate danger of violence.
The murderer admits that he shot his uncle in the back but contends that the murder was the result of an altercation. He cannot be induced to tell a straight-forward tale in a connected way and what he does tell is evidently false in part.
The impression is gaining ground that Oral Weir came here purposely to kill his uncle and that some one else may be concerned in the plot. It is this feeling more rhan anything else that has saved the prisoner from a lynching.
Sheriff Hatcher and Coroner Nossaman arrived here this afternoon with the body of G. J. Weir, who was killed Thursday morning by his nephew, Oral Weir, in Bianco basin. The jury impanneled on the case returned a verdict that G. J. Weir came to his death by gunshot wound from a gun in the hands of Oral Weir.
It was learned during the inquest that Weir had been killed by his nephew at the granary on the Mee ranch, now temporarily deserted and that the murderer had placed his victim on a horse and carried him nearly a mile to a lonely place on the hillside and thrown the body in a clump of bushes, where it was found. One shot from a 30-30 caliber Winchester had done the dastardly work. The ball entering the back to the right of the backbone and coming out near the ninth rib.
When shot the victim had been in a stooping position as evidenced by the upward course of the ball. Death must have resulted almost instantly. Relatives have directed that the remains be shipped to Miltonvale, Kas. for interment. District Attorney Pulliam will arrive this evening and conduct Weir's preliminary hearing. The prisoner has not asked for an attorney.`````
CLAY CENTER DISPATCH, Clay Center, Kansas
Weekly Edition - Thursday Morning - March 15, 1906
ORAL WEIR MAKES CONFESSION IT IS ALLEGED, TO HAVING KILLED AGED RELATIVE:
WAS SHOT ON A LONELY PRARIE
BOTH MEN QUITE WELL KNOWN IN CLAY CENTER AND OF GOOD REPUTATION
Pagosa Springs, Col., March 12 - His cupidity aroused by the knowledgement that his uncle, Joseph Weir had a large amount of money on his person, Oral Weir, 28 years old, murdered his aged relative last Thursday in a lonely spot by shooting him in the back with a Winchester rifle.
In explaining the disappearence of his uncle, young Weir told a halting story which aroused suspicion. He attempted to escape but was captured by a posse after making a show of resistance, he confessed to the crime before the body was found. On his person when arrested was $5,800. in cash and checks made payable to the elder Weir, who was a Civil War Veteran.
The body of the murdered man was found Friday night in a clump of sage brush in Blanco Basin, a wild section of Archuleta County, about twenty miles from Pagosa Springs, where it had been uncerenconiously thrown, evidently in the hope that Coyotes and other wild animals would soon destroy all evidence of the crime.
Weir had evendently been killed some distance from where the body was found and the corpse had been carried on a horse to the place it was discovered.
Joseph Weir and Oral Weir were both strangers here, the former haveing arrived here about three months ago from Leavenworth, Kansas where he was an inmate of the Soldiers Home, to spend the winter with friends in Blanco Basin, The younger Weir joined his uncle here about a month ago, coming from Clay Center, Kansas. He worked around Pagosa Springs several days as a painter, and on February 22 he filed on a homestead in Blanco Basin adjoining the ranch of Thomas Mee, where the elder Weir was stopping
Both Weir's left the Mee home Thursday morning, ostensibly to do a little work on the near location, but shortly before noon the yuounger Weir returned alone and informed Mrs. Mee that his uncle had been suddenly called to Kansas and had left on foot for Pagosa Springs to take the train.
When Mr. Mee, who had been in Pagosa, returned home and questioned young Weir, he became suspicious that all was not right and insisted that the nephew give a more logical reason for his uncle's absence, but the afternoon wore away and about dark the younger man departed on foot for Pagosa Springs, against Mee's protest.
Mee immediately mounted a horse and arousing the neighborhood, some of whom had already retired, laid the matter before them. An understanding was quickly reached and while four men too up the younger man's trail, others camped in the locality where the murder was believed to have occured, prepared to take up the search in the morning for the missing man.
The nephew was tracked toward Pagosa Springs, and about a mile south of town, where the road enters the San Juan river Valley he was overtaken. Here he left the road and was apparently preparing to wade the river to the west side, where the Pagosa Lumber Co. mills are located, and near the Denver and Rio Grande Depot. He was ordered to surrender and replied that he had a gun which he would use. Upon assurance that if he resisted he would be killed, he threw up his hands and submitted to arrest, He was immediately brought to town and serched. He was found to have $5,800 upon his person, about $350.00 in cash and the balance in checks and drafts belonging to Joseph Weir, one paper being his uncashed pension check.
After some questioning he confessed to the crime and then became merose and uncommunicative, and seems to be on the verge of collapse.
A damaging piece of evidence against him was the finding of a small revolver that he threw away when he was captured. He is evidently a degenerate, and while no threats are made, there was a danger that, whle finding of his uncle's body the career of Oral Weir would be short, despite the efforts of all the officers in the county. The murdered man was about 65 years of age, and had a divorced wife and nine children, all living in various parts of Kansas and Nebraska. Oral Weir is probably 28 years old, and his father and the man he murdered were twin brothers.
Both the Weirs worked for the Williamson firm when the flume was rebuilt. The younger man was
offered a job in the mill, but it was night work and he did not care to continue the work. This was last summer.
Concordia, Kan., March 12.---- George J. Weir, killed by his nephew, who is now under arrest at
Pagosa Springs, Col., was an old soldier of Milttonvale, this county. Weir left here about a year ago,
after his wife had procured a divorce and he had spent some time in jail for contempt of court for refusal to pay the costs of the suit.
Leavenworth, Kan., March 12. ------- Joseph Weir, the Civil war veteran who is reported to have been found murdered and his body robbed, near Pagosa Springs, Col., was a member of the National Soldiers' Home here. He left Leavenworth on a furlough Feb 22 to visit relatives in Colorado. Weir served through the Civil was in Company N, Twenty-first Illinois infantry.
Pagosa Springs, Col., March 12. ----- An armed guard has been placed around the jail here to prevent the lynching of Oral Weir, who has confessed having murdered his uncle, Joseph Weir, whose body was found yesterday hidden in a clump of oak brush at a lonely spot in Blanco Basin, twenty milesfrom this town. The murdered man was known to have had over $5,000 in cash and drafts and the money was found in his nephew's possession when he was arrested.
A couple of years ago the elder Weir appeared at the Union State bank, this city, with over $5,000 in cash in his pockets, desiring to deposit the same for a short time. He was warned then that it was a rather dangerous thing to be going about with that much money on his person, but he didn't seem tothink it so.
The young man Oral Weir was quite well known here also, and was always regarded as a good boy,
quiet, industrious, saving and honest. He is related to the Weir family living east of town.
John A. Johnson who now makes application for Marriage License, being first duly sworn, on oath says that his post office address is Miltonvale, Kansas and that his age is 44 years, that he has no wife living, and that he desires a license to marry Sarah S. Weir whose post office address is Miltonvale, Kansas and her age is 48 years , and that she has no living husband. copy of license & marriage .
Janice Louie gives name of wife as Etell E. - Conflict we have Sarah E.
lists Leona Furl as their daughter b. 1860 Martinsville, Clark Co., Illinois
49. Mossy Nancy WEIR
E-mails posted by Janice Louie - seljil@aol.com
Source: Cem., St Pauls, Martinsville, Clark Co., Illinois-
Hicks, Mossy (Weir) b. 13 Mar 1899 d. 3 Mar 1976
188. Nora HICKS
Dick - Hicks - Barkalow messed up will come back to it.
Source:Cem., St Pauls, Martinsville, Clark Co., Illinois.
Barkalow, Roy b. 6 Jun 1899 d. 3 Mar 1976
1860 Census Franklin Twp., Washington, Indiana Jul 1860
David F. Weir 38
Sarah 36
George A. 11
Ransom M. 7
Francis L. 2From June McLaughlin 30 Nov 2007
Hi Myrna,
Probably more than you ever wanted to know, or maybe not.I'll Attempt to give you Ransom's descendants. My branch anyway.I'm fairly certain there were others, (Children of Ransom & Margaret) but these are the ones that lived, that I know of.
David Marion Weir (my grandfather)
b. 24 July 1880 Clay Center, Kansas
d. 4 July 1961, Sayre, OK
Charles Weir
Virginia (Jenny) Weir (Cox)
Dorthy (Dot) Weir (Chandler)
"on the 1880 Census Ransom & Margaret lived in Iola Kansas"
There was a Josephine, (I think age 2) but I don't know what became of her.
Margaret C. Weir, wife of Ransom, came to OK about 1889 with these four children. or maybe went back for the boys.David Marion Weir married Martha Heer. She was born May 30, 1877, Medina Cty., Ohio d. 17 February1978, Sayer , OK
They had 7 children (one Stillborn)
Thompson, Margaret E. (Weir) b. 26 Jan 1861, d. 28 Feb 1920, age 59, Blk 8 Lot 13 #3
Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay, Kansas
Harvey Washington Thompson d. 14 May 1927, Blk 8 Lot 13#4
210. Marion THOMPSON
Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay, Kansas
Thompson Marion, d. Feb 1886 Blk 8 Lot 13 #4
211. Charles THOMPSON
Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay, Kansas
Thompson, Charles 1881, Blk 8 lot 13 #1