My Genealogy Hound

JOHN WELLER. In the biographical record of John Weller and his estimable wife, who are well-known residents of Green Township, Clark County, we trace the results of unflagging industry and perseverance through many obstacles, hardships and privations, during the early days of their settlement at their present homestead. They commenced the journey of life together with limited means, dependent upon their own resources and having no capital but their honest endeavor, their resolute wills, and the good health with which Providence blessed them. The wife assisted her husband in the field when necessary, in addition to attending to her household duties and spinning and weaving wool and flax, and making up the garments for the family. Neither paused to consider the magnitude of their labors at that time, but pressed right onward, keeping steadily in view the purpose of making for themselves a home and accumulating a reasonable amount of this world’s goods.

In looking to-day upon the surroundings of Mr. and Mrs. Weller, the observer is compelled to admit that they have done well, and they themselves acknowledge with satisfaction the result of their labors. We find them surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, with a sufficiency for their declining years, while at the same time they enjoy in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of those around them. In their tastes there is illustrated in an admirable manner, that which may be accomplished by a resolute will and the energy which admits of no such word as “fail.”

The Weller family has made for itself a good history in this country. It probably originated in Germany, and one of the earliest representatives in this country, was the great-grandfather of our subject, who settled in Maryland. In that State was born his son, Jacob, the grandfather of our subject, who, upon reaching manhood, signalized himself as a soldier and a patriot, carrying a musket on the side of the Colonists in the Revolutionary War. After the close of the struggle, he settled on the Shenandoah River, in Virginia, but later removed to Augusta County, that State. He occupied himself as a farmer, and became a man of property, owning a large estate, and remaining there until his death, which occurred about 1839.

Joseph Weller, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of Maryland, and born in 1791. Like his father before him, he too, followed farming pursuits. In early manhood he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth Steffey, a native of Virginia, and the daughter of parents who were born in Germany. The latter settled in Virginia, but later removed to Southern Indiana, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Weller after their marriage, lived in the Old Dominion until 1830, then came to Ohio, and settled on the farm now owned by Robert Tyndall. Prior to this the father had served in the War of 1812. After a year’s residence on the above-mentioned farm, Joseph Weller purchased eighty acres of school land just south of the river, but after he had cleared about twenty acres, another claimant appeared who maintained his rights in such a vigorous and outspoken manner, that Mr. Weller withdrew from the property. He then leased John T. Stewart’s farm, upon which he remained until 1836. That year he rented the farm now owned by his son, our subject, and a year later became the purchaser of a farm near Pitchin, this township.

Joseph Weller maintained his possession of this farm until 1851, when it was purchased from the Jones heirs by his son, John Weller, of this sketch. Only a small part of the land was cleared, and the only building was a log house. Mr. Weller set himself industriously to work to increase the cultivated area, and put up such buildings as were immediately necessary, including a new residence. This was destroyed by fire in 1859, but that same year the present dwelling was substituted. The barn which is still standing, and in fairly good condition, was built in 1855. The orchard is all of his own planting. From it he has gathered bushels and bushels of luscious fruit, sufficient to supply not only the family, but furnishing something also for the markets.

The father of our subject departed this life in Allentown, this township, in 1879, outliving the mother eleven years, she having died in 1868. Of the ten children born to them, five are living: Samuel, Joseph and Lucinda, the latter the wife of Milton Dudley, are all residents of Indiana; Savilla became the wife of Thomas Dudley, and now is a widow, and lives in Springfield, Ohio; John, our subject, who is next to the eldest living, was born in Augusta County, Va., December 11, 1817, and was thirteen years old when his parents emigrated to Ohio. Many times prior to this he had crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains in his native State, and still remembers many of the scenes and incidents connected with his boyhood’s home. He attended the district school a brief time, mostly during the winter season, and after coming to Ohio, assisted in the maintenance of the family until after reaching his majority. When twenty-two years of age he began to do for himself, working on his uncle’s farm in Champaign County, until his marriage.

The above-mentioned important event in the life of Mr. Weller was celebrated January 9, 1845, the bride being Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Metz) Wiant. The parents of Mrs. Weller were both natives of Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio with their respective families when young people, prior to their marriage. John Wiant distinguished himself as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and Mrs. Weller frequently recalls the stories which he told about his great commander, Gen. Washington. Afterward he followed farming, and spent his last years in Champaign County, Ohio, dying in 1854. The mother only survived her husband five years, her death taking place in 1859. There are living only six of the ten children comprising the parental family.

Mrs. Weller was the fifth child of her parents, and was born May 13, 1823, in Jackson Township, Champaign County, this State. She was trained by her excellent mother to all useful household duties, and was fully qualified to become the partner of a good man’s home. Of their union there have been born four children, only two of whom are living: Sarah Jane is the wife of John E. Johnson, and the mother of five children; they live in Yorkville, this State. John A. married Miss Catherine Poorman; they have three children, and are living on Gen. Keifer’s farm in Green Township.

Mr. Weller cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, but from that time to this has always maintained his allegiance to the Democratic party. He is a Lutheran by baptism, and was carefully trained by his honored parents in the doctrines of this Church. For eighteen years he has served as Supervisor of Green Township, and for many years has officiated as School Director in his district. He has also been Township Trustee. His farm embraces one hundred and fifty-nine and one-half acres, all of which he has brought to a productive condition, and which yields bountifully the rich products of the Buckeye State. No man in his community is held in higher respect than honest John Weller, and no lady has been a more devoted wife and helpmate, or a kinder or more careful mother than his estimable partner. Their names will be held in kindly remembrance long after they have been gathered to their fathers. A portrait* of Mr. Weller is shown on another page in this work.