My Genealogy Hound

JAMES W. WEIR, M. D. Widely known and universally esteemed as a citizen and honored physician, Dr. Weir commands the entire confidence of his fellow-townsmen and the general public. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession since 1882, and has a large and paying business, which extends far beyond the corporate limits of Sparta, where he is residing.

William Weir, the father of our subject, was born December 2, 1813, in South Carolina, and was only eight years old when his parents came to this county, settling on what is known as Lively Prairie. This was in 1821, and as might be supposed, only a few families were residing here at that time. Indians were frequent callers at the cabin of Grandfather Weir, but hostilities were prevented by his kindly treatment, as he never refused them food or shelter. Amid these surroundings, void of all the advantages for scholastic and social improvement, our subject’s father was reared. Notwithstanding these hindrances, he possessed a strong will and a good mind, and developed into a man whose judgment was sought in his neighborhood on questions touching public interest.

December 31, 1835, the parents of our subject were married. They located on an unimproved farm about one-half mile from the home of the elder Mr. Weir. There the couple enjoyed a peaceful life for over fifty-six years, when death broke the ties that bound their hearts together. He died July 15, 1892, and was buried in Hill Prairie Cemetery two days later, July 17. In his political relations, the father of our subject affiliated with the Republican party, and while he never held or sought office, no man was more generally known throughout the county. He was a devoted member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of Elder until his death. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Robert, who died in infancy; Joseph T.; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; and James W. The mother makes her home with her son, J. W. Weir. She was born May 18, 1818, near Vincennes, Ind., and was not quite eighteen years of age when she married. She was brought in infancy to this county by her parents, who died here.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Robert and Jane (Boyd) Weir, were natives of Ireland, and on emigrating to America, about 1800, made their home in South Carolina. On coming to Randolph County they were classed among its earliest pioneers. Here the grandfather died in 1869. and the grandmother died in October, 1872. In politics he was a Republican. He was a Deacon and one of the charter members of the Old Bethel congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Withrow) Weir, were married in 1789, in County Antrim, Ireland.

Our subject was born in Randolph County in 1850, and remained under the parental roof until 1870. He is a man of fine education, being a graduate of the Ionia (Mich.) High School. He was a student during 1875-76 in the literary department of the Michigan University, and was graduated in the classical course of 1879 from Monmouth (Ill.) College. In that year he returned to his home in Sparta, where he spent one year teaching in the grammar school. He conducted his professional studies in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1882. He at once began the practice of his profession in Sparta, and as a successful physician and skillful surgeon he has built up a lucrative practice.

September 7, 1881, Dr. Weir and M. Ella, daughter of Samuel M. and Rachael Joanna (Kyle) Foster, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, were united in marriage. Mrs. Weir has three brothers and two sisters, Rev. J. M. Foster, of Boston; Rev. F. M. Foster, of New York City; Rev. H. G. Foster, of Allegheny, Pa.; Mrs. Laura C. (Foster) Boyd, wife of Rev. P. P. Boyd, of Belle Centre, Ohio, and Mrs. Ada (Foster) Thompson, wife of Rev. D. G. Thompson, of La Junta, Colo. To our subject and his wife were born three children, William Foster, Rachel Myra and Harold Ewing. In his political relations the Doctor is a Republican. With his wife he is an active member of the United Presbyterian Church. His pleasant home in the city is the abode of hospitality and the center of attraction to numerous friends.