A splendid representative of the self-made and self-educated men of Wayne county, Louis H. Weaver has won noteworthy success in life through his own efforts, meeting every obstacle intelligently and courageously, and as chief clerk of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary is rendering efficient service, spending a large part of his time in Menard, although he claims Fairfield as his home. A son of the late David Weaver, he was born February 11, 1862, on a farm in old Arrington township. His paternal grandfather, George Weaver, was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. Left an orphan when young, he settled in Ohio, from there coming, in 1852 to Illinois, locating in Indian Prairie township, near Johnsonville, where he spent his remaining years.

David Weaver was born in Orange county; Ohio, December 3, 1830. In 1850 he migrated to Southern Illinois, locating near Johnsonville, Wayne county. Energetic and persevering, he became one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of his community, at one time owning fifteen hundred acres of land. During his earlier life he followed his trade of a cabinet maker in addition to farming, making furniture for the new-comers, and making all of the coffins required by the people for miles around, taking the lumber employed in their manufacture in the rough and hand dressing it. Prior to his death, which occurred in April, 1910, he gave to each of his children a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, retaining three hundred and forty acres in his own name.

David Weaver was twice married. He married first Naomi Sicer, who passed to the life beyond in 1886. She bore him nine children, as follows: Mrs. Matilda Whitson, of Johnsonville; Louis H., the special subject of this brief biographical sketch; George H., engaged in farming and stock raising in Hickory Hill township; Cynthia J., wife of John Tibbs, of Johnsonville; Franklin, a farmer and stock-grower in Berry township; Theodore, also engaged in agricultural pursuits in Berry township; Nettie, wife of Owen Galbraith, of Saint Louis, Missouri; and Arthur and Everett, twins, who died in infancy. He married for his second wife Mary J. Taylor, who survived him.

Louis H. Weaver was brought up on the home farm, receiving very limited educational advantages,, his father putting his boys to work at an early age so that his education was largely acquired after his marriage, under the instruction of his wife, or by reading. He did his full share of work as a youth, remaining at home until his marriage, when he settled on a farm of eighty acres, to which he subsequently added another eighty acres of land. This farm Mr. Weaver sold, but he has other landed interests, owning, with his brother, eighty acres in Wayne county, and being owner of three hundred and twenty acres in Kansas, and one hundred and twenty acres in Missouri.

In his political affiliations Mr. Weaver is a Republican, and has faithfully performed his duties as a citizen in various capacities. For twelve years he was school director; for three years he served as highway commissioner; was township tax collector one term; and for one year was a member of the county board of supervisors. In 1902 he was elected county sheriff, and served four years. Embarking in the livery business in Fairfield in 1906, he carried it on successfully until selling out in August, 1911. In 1910 he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors from Grover township. On June 30, 1911, he was appointed chief clerk of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, at Menard, and is filling the position with marked ability and fidelity.

On March 20, 1884, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage with Nancy A. Dickey, a daughter of William R. Dickey, and into their home eight children have been born, namely: David Arthur, born in 1885, married and has one child, Dorothy; Mrs. Edna Cates, of Fairfield; Mrs. May Goodall, of Saint Elmo, Illinois, has one child, Madeline; Etta, attending the Fairfield high school; Chloe; Edith; and Ida; and a child unnamed, which died in infancy.