BIOGRAPHY - JOHN WEAKMAN
John Weakman is the owner of a well improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 15, Pella township. He has brought this property under a high state of cultivation and makes a specialty of raising cattle, horses and hogs. He was born in Germany in July, 1847, his parents being Louis and Ellen Weakman, who in 1848 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, first settling in St. Louis, Missouri. Later they removed to Menard county, Illinois, where the father followed farming until his death. In their family were six children, of whom four are yet living: Molly, the wife of Joe Whipple, of Oklahoma; Tina, the wife of August Onken, of Gibson City; Emma, who became the wife of George McNabana and also makes her home in Gibson City; and John, of this review.
During the days of his boyhood and youth John Weakman aided his father in the work of the home farm and in the common schools acquired his education. On attaining his majority he rented land and thus carried on farming on his own account for fifteen years, during which time he saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm of his own. He then invested in three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 15, Pella township, and has since given his time and energies to the further development and improvement of this place. The fields are well tilled and bring forth rich crops and he is also engaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs. His farm work is carefully conducted and the systematic management of his business makes him one of the successful agriculturists of the community.
Mr. Weakman has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Laura Follick, who was born in McLean county, Illinois, and they became the parents of three children: Benjamin, living near Gibson City; Hattie, the wife of Ed Dunman of this country; and Marion, who is with his grandfather. For his second wife Mr. Weakman chose Miss Gusta Cales, who was born in Virginia. The children of this marriage are nine in number: Myrtle, the wife of Taylor Henry, of Illinois; James; Frank, Bernie, deceased; Pearl; John; Ruth; Fred; and Howard.
In his political views Mr. Weakman is a stalwart republican and for thirty years has served as school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. Otherwise he has never sought nor held public office, yet in matters of citizenship is progressive and gives loyal support to many measures for the public good. He is justly regarded as one of the leading farmers of Pella township and among those with whom he has come in c<uitact he has gained many friends. The success that he has achieved has come to him as the merited reward of his own labor, as he has ever placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of diligence and thrift.
Extracted 19 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 1, pages 367-368.
