MORTIMER G. WEAVER, a native of Clinton Township, now residing in the village of that name, was born on the 9th day of July, 1840, and is a son of Griswold and Rachel (TUTTLE) WEAVER, the former born near Deersfield, N.Y., and the latter in Jefferson County, of the same State. Their marriage was celebrated in Jefferson County, and in 1837 they started for what was then the far West, and located at Clinton Corners, Rock County, where he built the first frame building in the township. That structure is still standing in Clinton, one of the few pioneer homes yet remaining, and is now owned by L. L. HOOVER. Entering land from the government, Mr. WEAVER at once began its development and in the course of time, by his ceaseless industry and untiring labor, he has transformed the wild prairie into a highly cultivated farm. He was an active and progressive man, and in later years became the owner of large landed possessions, and did much toward the upbuilding of Clinton. In early life he was a Jackson Democrat, but when the Free Soil party sprang into existence, he cast his lot with it, aided greatly in the work of organization in 1856, and was among the first to espouse the cause of Fremont, whose policy he greatly admired.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Griswold WEAVER were born four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom Mortimer G., of this sketch, is the eldest; Olney F., who married Miss Eliza OLNEY, a native of Freeport, N.Y., died in Rock County, Ellen J. died unmarried; and Jessie E. is the wife of Samuel S. JONES, a prominent farmer of this community. Mr. WEAVER departed this life in January, 1872. His death marked a sad event in the history of Clinton, which had so long been his home and his pride, and to the prosperity of which he had so liberally contributed. Just and prompt in all his dealings, courteous and considerate, he possessed the confidence and kindly feeling of both young and old, rich and poor. Mrs. WEAVER is still living beloved by all who know her.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in this county, his younger years being passed in much the same manner as other farmer lads. Leaving the parental roof, he was united in marriage in July, 1863, with Miss Mary O. ROGERS, a daughter of Hiram ROGERS, of Cortland County, N.Y., where her birth occurred in 1842. Five children have blessed the union of this worthy couple, four of whom are living - Arthur E., Floy L., Roy G., and Fred B. The second child, Irving T., is deceased.
Mr. WEAVER is a strong supporter of the republican party, and has been honored with several local offices of trust, including that of Township Clerk and Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors, discharging the duties of both positions with promptness and ability. He can well claim the honor of being one of the pioneer settlers of the county, having passed his entire life, almost fifty years, within its borders. He has witnessed the great progress and growth which have taken place, and the development which has transformed the barren prairies into rich and fertile farms. He has seen its log cabins replaced by commodious and elegant residences, and can remember the time when he could drive from his home across the plains to Janesville with no fence or house to bar his progress. Mr. WEAVER is the owner of a beautiful farm adjoining the village of Clinton, which comprises 125 acres of arable land under a high state of cultivation, and which is stocked with Holstein cattle, of which he makes a specialty.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 434, 435