Benjamin Weakley
Benjamin J. Weakley, one of the successful self-made men
of Shelby County, is a native of Shelbyville, and dates his birth
from the 27th day of September, 1850. His father, Jerry Weakley, son of John Weakley, was born in Scott County, Ky., December 5, 1826, and died in Shelby County, Ind., February, 1884.
The grandfather, John Weakley, was born in the year 1800, and
departed this life in 1885. Subject's mother, Martha A. (Fisher)
Weakley, was born in the State of Delaware, April 23, 1831, and
died in Waldron, Ind., December 30, 1885. Benjamin J. Weakley
is the eldest of a family of six children. He was educated in the
common schools and at the age of nineteen engaged to learn the
tinner's trade, in which he soon acquired great proficiency and
which he has since successfully carried on. In 1881, he engaged
in the stove and tin trade at the Town of Waldron, and four years
later removed to Shelbyville, where in March, 1886, he opened his
present business house, one of the largest stove and tinware establishments in the
citv. Mr. Weakley has made commendable progress in his business, his present substantial trade having been built
up by his own efforts, as he started in life with no capital save a
determination to succeed. October 3, 1872, was solemnized his
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Jackson, who was born in this county,
August 22, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Weakley have one child, Lora B., born January 19, 1874, died November 6, 1879.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, "Shelbyville Sketches", pages 543-544.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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