R. A. Weir

R. A. WEIR, the subject of this biography, is a prominent and well known real estate man of Parsons, Kansas. Since 1894, Mr. Weir has had his office with the firm of Webb & Iden and handles all kinds of farm and city real estate.

Mr. Weir was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1836, and is a son of James and Salina (McKee) Weir. His grandparents were natives of Ireland. His father, James Weir, was born in Eastern Tennessee about 1798; his mother was born in Virginia. Both are long since deceased. R. A. Weir was one of a family of 11 children, of whom one is in Western Kansas, two are in Missouri, and two in Indiana. He remained at home and attended school at New Lebanon. In 1863, when the Civil War had reached its height, Mr. Weir enlisted in Company G, 11th Reg., Ind. Vol. Cav., as a private. He was with Wilson's, cavalry corps in the South and West, and was a valiant soldier, as was fully attested by his promotion from the grade of private to that of first lieutenant, as mustered out in 1865.

After the close of the war, Mr. Weir returned to Indiana, where he followed farming for five years, and then moved to Neosho county, Kansas, in 1870, and purchased a claim on the Labette county line. He worked his new claim till 1876, when he removed to Parsons, and was engaged at his trade as a stonemason until 1884. In March, 1884, Mr. Weir became interested in the real estate business and has successfully managed all business transactions placed in his care. At first he was located with Foster & Duzan, but his present office is with Webb & Iden.

Mr. Weir was married to Mary E. Marts, who died some years since, leaving two children, Clara E. and R. K. The former is at home. R. K. Weir is a fireman on the Missouri Pacific Ry. and runs out of Wichita. In 1888, Mr. Weir married, for his second wife, Mrs. May E. Crumrin. For twenty years Mr. Weir resided on Gabriel avenue, but now owns a home at No. 1715 Washington avenue. Attention to business has not made Mr. Weir indifferent to outside duties, as he has served two terms as a member of the school board, and has been active in fraternal societies. He was first a member of the G. A. R. in Indiana, and now belongs to Post No. 81, of Parsons; he has also been a member of the Masonic order since 1868. Mr. Weir united with the M. E. church in 1849. His family are all members of that church. His paternal grandfather was a Wesleyan M. E. minister.