Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/151

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

r,57

of Luray to accept the latter office, which he has now held continuously for sixteen years. jMr. Weaver is of prominent Vir- ginia lineage. He is a son of James Madi- son Weaver, of Rockingham county, born in Madison county, Virginia, in 1828, and died in 1897, a farmer and for many years chairman of the board of supervisors of Rockingham county. James M. Weaver was a brother of Lieutenant Robert Weaver of the Confederate army. Sarah M. (Car- penter) Weaver, wife of James Madison Weaver, was a daughter of Thomas Carpen- ter, of Madison county, murdered in 1850, the trial of his assassins being one of the noted cases in Virginia court records. James M. and Sarah M. (Carpenter) Weaver had sons : Floyd W., of whom further; Dr. Thomas H., died in 1882; John C, died in 1913; Edward D., of Waynes- boro, \'irginia ; John Robert, of Roanoke, Virginia ; William Prentiss Russell, of Island Ford, Virginia ; they had daughters : Ida B. ; Clara M., married G. Rush Nicho- las, of Penland, Virginia; Sally Gertrude, married Edward L. Lambert, of McGaheys- ville, \"irginia.

Floyd Wise Weaver was born in Rock- ingham county, Virginia, April 28, 1866. He acquired his early and preparatory edu- cation in the public schools of McGaheys- ville. then entered the L'niversity of \'ir- ginia, attending the summer sessions, 1887- 89, the last year of his course being under the noted Dr. John B. Minor. He excelled in other branches, but in oratory was awarded the prize medal in i88g. In the fall of 1889 he entered the law school of the University of Virginia, continuing during the sessions of that and the following year. In 1890 he was admitted to the bar of Au- gusta county, Virginia, and from that date until 1895 was engaged in the practice of his profession at Basic City. In the latter year he located in Luray, Page county, Vir- ginia, there forming a law partnership with Colonel Robert F. Leedy, and practicing until 1898 as Weaver & Leedy. In March of that year he was appointed mayor of Luray, holding that office until the follow- ing June, when he resigned, having been appointed clerk of the court to fill out the unexpired term of Andrew Broaddus. He served under the appointment from June 20, i8g8, to May, 1899, then was elected by

VIR-42

the people of Page county for a term of six \ears. His legal learning and personal at- tributes so eminently qualified him for the imjjortant office he held, that in 1905 he was rt-elected and in 191 1 was again returned for another term, this time for eight years under the new constitution of .Virginia.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Weaver has been an able advocate of party principles, and an untiring worker for party success. He is heard with enthusiasm at public gatherings, while in party councils his opin- ions and advice are listened to with respect- ful attention. He has served in many con- ventions of his party ; was a delegate to the state convention of 1893 which nominated Governor O'Ferrell ; sat as a delegate in the state convention of 1908, and was elected by the Norfolk state convention of 1912, a dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention that met in Baltimore and placed in nomi- nation Woodrow Wilson, the successful candidate, now president of the United States. He is also a trustee of the Virginia State Normal and Industrial School for ^\'omen. at Harrisonburg, Virginia, having served since the organization of that valu- able institution. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lafay- ette Lodge, No. 137, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Luray, Luray Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, and Luray Com- mandery. No. 19, Knights Templar, and is past eminent commander of the latter body. In religious faith he is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. South.

Mr. Weaver married, in December, 1893, Eva Mendenhall, born at High Point, North Carolina. Children: Royal Lillian, born in Luray, Virginia, March 15, 1896, died March 19, iSgft; Louease Mildred, born in Luray, July 19, 1897; Irma Jacques, born in Luray, January 30, 1899.

John Harry Harper, a well known busi- ness man of New York City, was born at Port Republic. Virginia, April 5, 1870. His father was John Harper, a farmer of Port Republic, born April i, 1806, died August 25, 1889. His mother was Sarah Jane Trout, whom John Harper married, Octo- l>er II, 1846. From the traditions preserved ill several branches of the Trout family it would seem that many years before the American revolution three brothers emi-