The life work of Weye H. Weyen, for many years a prominent farmer of
Macoupin county, was brought to a termination by his death, March 15,
1889, and, judging by what he accomplished, it may truly be said that he
was one of the remarkable men of the county. He demonstrated the
possibilities awaiting in America for any ambitious and capable young
man, who may be obliged to start at the bottom of the ladder, with
scarcely a dollar in his pocket, and yet may reach the top. He was born
in Hanover, Germany, October 20, 1820, and grew to manhood in his native
land. He secured the foundation of an education in the public schools,
but as his, parents were in need of his services he was early obliged to
leave school, to assist in the maintenance of his father’s family.
In 1851, desiring more favorable opportunities than he saw about
him, he went aboard a sailing vessel at Bremen and after a voyage of
several weeks landed at New Orleans, Louisiana. He came by boat up the
Mississippi river to Alton, Illinois, and began his active career in
America as a farm hand in Madison county. Later his parents came to this
country and located in Macoupin county, Illinois, where they spent the
remainder of their lives. A year after reaching America Mr. Weyen was
married, and found in his wife a most helpful and loving companion, a
large measure of his success being due to her advice and encouragement.
At the time of his marriage his total cash capital consisted of five
dollars, but he set industriously to work, continuing in Madison county
for thirteen years during a large part of which time he cultivated
rented land. In 1865 he removed with his family to Macoupin county and
purchased a farm on section 8, Cahokia township, where he established
his homestead. He was a man of remarkable energy and perseverance, being
also the possessor of unusual business ability, and he acquired more
land until he became the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres and
gained a reputation as one of the most successful farmers in this part
of the state.
In 1852 Mr. Weyen was married in Madison county to
Miss Meta Johnson, who was born in Hanover, Germany, February 17, 1827.
She came to America on the same vessel with her future husband and spent
the year preceding her marriage at Alton, Illinois. Of the children of
Mr. and Mrs. Weyen five survive, namely: Heye, a business man of
Bethalto, Illinois, who married Minnie Meiniecka and has three children,
Willie, John and Mabel; Mary, who married George Osterkamp, of Honey
Point township; Tase, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work;
Tennie, who is the wife of John W. Schmidt, of Gillespie township; and
John R., whose sketch is presented on another page of this work. The
mother of these children died on November 25, 1910, having arrived at
the advanced age of eighty-three years.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs.
Weyen were identified during their entire lives with the Lutheran
church, and politically he gave his support to the democratic party. Few
more convincing examples of the power of well directed perseverance are
to be found than that of Mr. Weyen. In the years when it was necessary
he practiced self-denial, and the result was an abundance in later life.
His record cannot fail to encourage the young man starting upon his own
resources, who has the laudable desire to accomplish something worthy of
the name. He was a man of deeds rather than of words and it is to such
that the country must look for its true leaders.
Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 212-213.
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