Cornelius C. Weaver, farmer and shoemaker, was born in Wayne County, Ind., July 3, 1832, the youngest of four children of Christopher and Sarah (Shidler) Weaver, natives of Ohio, of German descent. The father died before our subject's birth, and his mother soon after came to Indiana, and purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson Township, Wayne County. She was a woman of rare energy and business ability, and by the time her sons were old enough to assist her had her farm well cultivated. She subsequently married Casper Bowen, by whom she had seven children. She died in 1880, aged seventy-three years. When Cornelius C. Weaver was fourteen years of age he began to work at the tanner and courier's trade and served an apprenticeship of five years. On account of his health he was obliged to abandon the trade, and then learned boot and shoe making, serving as an apprentice three years. He worked as a journeyman a time and then embarked in business in Cambridge City. A year later he went to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and worked three years, losing in that time only three days. In 1852 he went to Illinois. In 1861 he was among the first to enlist in the service of his country. He entered the ranks as a private soldier, but was elected by his companions First Lieutenant of Company B, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry. After a year and a half of service as Lieutenant he was promoted to Captain of the company, and served till the expiration of his term. He returned to Illinois, but soon after returned to his native county. He was married Jan. 2, 1866, to Louisa R., daughter of David and Mary Keller, of Maryland, who came to Indiana in 1856. In 1867 Mr. Weaver came to Henry County and settled in Dudley Township, where, in connection with farming, he works at his trade in the winter. He also pays special attention to vegetable gardening and the culture of bees. Politically Mr. Weaver is a Republican. He has served as Justice of the Peace since 1874. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association. They have a family of five sons - Edward W., Charles E., Fred W., John W. and Frank.
