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Daniel Weaver, merchant and miller, Hesperia, was born in Berlin, Rensselaer Co., N.Y., April 28, 1811. His parents, Stuttley and Rachel Weaver, were of English descent, and natives of Rhode Island. They both died in Michigan, at an advanced age. When but an infant he was taken by his parents to Berkshire Co, Mass., where he received a district-school education and worked on a farm until he was 18 years old. At that time he went to Wyoming Co. N.Y., where he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner. After completing his trade he went to work for the man to whom he had been apprenticed, and remained until he was 21 years old. In the summer of 1832 he came to Adrian, Mich., where he lived until the spring of 1838, working at his trade.
March 14, 1833, he was married, in Genesee Co., N.Y., to Miss Emily A. Salisbury, daughter of Philip and Clarissa (Curtis) Salisbury, who was born in New York, Sept. 1, 1811. She was well educated and taught school several years previous to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver returned to Lenawee County, thence to Hillsdale County, where he worked on a farm, and was also employed by the county to superintend the building of the court-house. He remained here until 1856, when he moved to Newaygo County, and settled on what is now Fremont Center. It was then an unbroken wilderness, and not two permanent settlers within many miles. When the town first started it was named Weaverville, but has since been changed to Fremont. He first built a saw-mill, then two stores and a grist-mill, and other stores soon followed. He then erected a Masonic hall. It is by his earnest efforts that a wild forest had been converted into a beautiful town.
In 1866 he moved into Denver Township and located on section 30, where he spent an active useful life. The first year he built a saw-mill, and in the second year laid out the town of Hesperia. He did an annual business of $12,000.
Dec. 25, 1874, Mrs. Weaver died leaving four children: Philip, born Feb. 22, 1834; Laura J., Jan. 20, 1839; Leland S., Dec. 12, 1843; Daniel L., Feb. 21, 1849; Clarissa, born Feb. 20, 1837, died in 1838; John B., born Feb. 12, 1852, died in 1853.
April 27, 1879, Mr. Weaver married, in Ingham County, Mrs. Savilla (Campbell) Walling, daughter of Daniel and Mary A. (Ames) Walling, natives of New York. She was born in Cayuga County, that State, Sept. 5, 1838. They were members of the Advent Church. Mr. W.was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Fremont, and was honored with the office of Master. He was Justice of the Peace 14 years, and Supervisor several terms. In politics he sympathized with the Democratic party.
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