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Archiver > PAERIE > 1998-04 > 0893019472


From: Mrs MicR <>
Subject: Re: Look-up
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 16:57:52 EDT


In a message dated 98-04-15 22:55:23 EDT, you write:

> e Jacob and John Weis.
> These could be related. They arent in my direct lines, I dont
think,
> but George
> Weis of Elk county had a brother Johan. They lived in Phila until the
1840s.
>
> Ive lost contact the brother John. John had a son Jacob, so its possible
> they
> could be related.

Did I mention there are a few Weiss in the book? I know this isn't the
spelling you asked for but I will list the names.
Bertha (Redler)
Elizabeth (married Hinkle)
Esther
Grace (married Kuch)
Hermann
Hermann, II
Katherine (Weber)
Nettie
Samuel

Here is the sketch of Jacob:

Jacob Weis was one of the many kindred lineage who came from Lancaster county
to the wilderness, which the purchase of the Triangle by Pennsylvania had
opened for settlement to her enterprising citizens. Jacob Weis came in 1796
or 1797 and settles west of Erie, where he spent his life, and where his son
John died. Jacob Weis and his wife, Elizabeth (Ebersole) Weis, had a family
of fove children: Mrs. John Hershey, Mrs. Jacob Waidley, Mrs. Amos Hinkle,
John and Jacob. All of them settled in Erie county. Mrs. Hershey alone
survives. Of these, John Weis was born January 7, 1819. After reaching
manhood his thrift, energy and industry soon increased his slender patrimony
to such an extent that he desired a larger field. He purchased the Moses
Barnet farm farm, which had been located and occupied by his grandfather,
Jacob Ebersole, in Fairview township. It was a beautiful location in that
unrivalled valley, which had long been in possession of the Barnet family.
There, about thirty-five years ago, he made his home. His management was so
judicious, his thrift so uninterrupted and his investments so fortunate, that
he became one of the wealthy men of Erie county. Aside from his good
farming, he took delight in owning and fattening fine cattle. To this he
adhered for years. His conspicuous presence at county fairs is well
remembered, where his exhibits were in keeping with this special feature of
his farming. He secured a large property in Erie city and county. His was a
life of honest industry. In appearance, habits and business, Mr. Weis was a
type of the "Pennsylvania German," to which race our commonwealth is so
largely indebted for its prosperity. Punctiality in every engagement,
honorable dealings with all, and a regard for the feelings of others, made his
name a synonym for reliability. His cordial manner and imposing appearance
were in keeping with his personal characteristics and comfortable
surroundings. His love of flowers and their utilization and cultivation in
beautifying his home merit emphasis. He was a devoted son and kind brother.
Mr. Weis was never married. Like others of his generation who had felt the
absence of early advantages, he sought to give to those who should come after
him the advantages never enjoyed by himself. In keeping with his advanced
views and in harmony with his Heaven-inspired wish that his large possessions
might to this end be made available, he designed and perfected a scheme of
benevolence, which will give to his name a princely celebrity in the annals of
Erie county, and cause his memory to be long and tenderly cherished, in
providing for a magnificent free public library. It should do more , in
setting an example of noble charity and judicious giving, to be followed, long
after the hand that gave it shall have crumbled into dust. The amount thus
bequeathed is estimated at from $50,000 to $100,000. During almost a century
of existance as a county, no Erie citizen has made a similar bequest. In this
respect it stands alone. The provisions of this grand and thoughtful device
can be found minutely set forth in the chapter relating to Mill Creek
township. The same attention to details, so characteristic of Mr. Weis
through life, are found in this document, so planned as to insure that the
instution may live through all time. Its location is already most happily
settled. The location is in West Mill Creek on the southwest corner of the
Thomas and Valley roads, directly opposite school No. 9, on land donated by
Mr. Amos Hinkle, brother-in-law of Mr. Weis, being a part of the old Weis
homestead, and within a stone's throw of John Weis' birthplace. The building
was completed early in 1896. About two years before his death, Mr. Weis
returned to West Mill Creek, to the old home, where the evening of his life
was spent. Up to the last decade his health had been good. Then he became
subject to rheumatism, the intensity of which increased with his years. For
severeal years his visits to Erie had been less frequent. After a confinement
at home for several months, he died on the old place, where about ninety-eight
years since his father settled. There he closed his long, unblemished and
repsected life.

p 806
"Nelson's Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book on Erie
County"
1896
S.B. Nelson, publisher
reprinted 1987 for the Erie County Historical Society

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