Los Angeles Times – November 15, 1905:
DEATH CALLS A PHILANTHROPIST
Merrill A. Weir Succumbs to Paralytic Stroke
Amassed Fortune From an Humble Beginning and Devoted Large Portion of it to Charity and Church Work – Assisted in Founding Westlake M. E. and Other Churches
Merrill A. Weir, retired capitalist, philanthropist, and churchman, died at 2:30 o'clock yesterday morning at his home, No. 1041 Westlake avenue, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis which he sustained September 1, and which, for more than two months, rendered him practically helpless. His mental faculties were not affected, however, and realizing that he could not long survive, he directed how his extensive estate should be distributed so that the administration of it will be merely formal.
Mr. Weir was a native of Salem, Ind., and had he lived until December 2, he would have been 78 years of age. His parents and those of the late Secretary of State John Hay, were intimately associated. He married at the age of 22 and his wife survives him. On October 8, while he was on his deathbed, they observed the fifty-sixth anniversary of their marriage.
For his first work, Mr. Weir received only $8 per month, and for years he struggled to assist his mother in raising her family. By applying his remarkable business ability and by fortunate investments, he amassed a fortune before he was 30 years of age. The Civil War gave him an opportunity to greatly increase his wealth and made him financially independent. He engaged in banking first at Mt. Vernon, Ind., and then at New Albany, Ind., being one of the leading citizens of the latter place for many years.
In 1902 he came to California and settled in San Diego and was one of the organizers of what is now one of the most prosperous banks in that city.
Four and one-half years later he moved to Los Angeles and had resided here continuously since then. He was one of the organizers of the Westlake M. E. Church, and gave thousands of dollars to its support, being president of its board of trustees at the time of his death. His charities were numerous and extensive, but were applied without ostentation. He let no one know how much he gave to charity, but it is known that he expended many thousands of dollars in that way. At his birthplace in Salem, he built one of the finest churches in Southern Indiana, as a memorial to his parents, and deeded it with a fine parsonage to the congregation, wholly without restrictions. The site of the church marks his birthplace.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m., at the Westlake M. E. Church and the interment will be in Rosedale. Besides his widow, Mr. Weir leaves two sisters, Mrs. Dr. W. P. Tucker and Mrs. E. W. Hollingsworth, both of Los Angeles, and a large number of more distant relatives.
DEATH CALLS A PHILANTHROPIST
Merrill A. Weir Succumbs to Paralytic Stroke
Amassed Fortune From an Humble Beginning and Devoted Large Portion of it to Charity and Church Work – Assisted in Founding Westlake M. E. and Other Churches
Merrill A. Weir, retired capitalist, philanthropist, and churchman, died at 2:30 o'clock yesterday morning at his home, No. 1041 Westlake avenue, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis which he sustained September 1, and which, for more than two months, rendered him practically helpless. His mental faculties were not affected, however, and realizing that he could not long survive, he directed how his extensive estate should be distributed so that the administration of it will be merely formal.
Mr. Weir was a native of Salem, Ind., and had he lived until December 2, he would have been 78 years of age. His parents and those of the late Secretary of State John Hay, were intimately associated. He married at the age of 22 and his wife survives him. On October 8, while he was on his deathbed, they observed the fifty-sixth anniversary of their marriage.
For his first work, Mr. Weir received only $8 per month, and for years he struggled to assist his mother in raising her family. By applying his remarkable business ability and by fortunate investments, he amassed a fortune before he was 30 years of age. The Civil War gave him an opportunity to greatly increase his wealth and made him financially independent. He engaged in banking first at Mt. Vernon, Ind., and then at New Albany, Ind., being one of the leading citizens of the latter place for many years.
In 1902 he came to California and settled in San Diego and was one of the organizers of what is now one of the most prosperous banks in that city.
Four and one-half years later he moved to Los Angeles and had resided here continuously since then. He was one of the organizers of the Westlake M. E. Church, and gave thousands of dollars to its support, being president of its board of trustees at the time of his death. His charities were numerous and extensive, but were applied without ostentation. He let no one know how much he gave to charity, but it is known that he expended many thousands of dollars in that way. At his birthplace in Salem, he built one of the finest churches in Southern Indiana, as a memorial to his parents, and deeded it with a fine parsonage to the congregation, wholly without restrictions. The site of the church marks his birthplace.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m., at the Westlake M. E. Church and the interment will be in Rosedale. Besides his widow, Mr. Weir leaves two sisters, Mrs. Dr. W. P. Tucker and Mrs. E. W. Hollingsworth, both of Los Angeles, and a large number of more distant relatives.
Los Angeles Times – November 15, 1905:
DEATH CALLS A PHILANTHROPIST
Merrill A. Weir Succumbs to Paralytic Stroke
Amassed Fortune From an Humble Beginning and Devoted Large Portion of it to Charity and Church Work – Assisted in Founding Westlake M. E. and Other Churches
Merrill A. Weir, retired capitalist, philanthropist, and churchman, died at 2:30 o'clock yesterday morning at his home, No. 1041 Westlake avenue, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis which he sustained September 1, and which, for more than two months, rendered him practically helpless. His mental faculties were not affected, however, and realizing that he could not long survive, he directed how his extensive estate should be distributed so that the administration of it will be merely formal.
Mr. Weir was a native of Salem, Ind., and had he lived until December 2, he would have been 78 years of age. His parents and those of the late Secretary of State John Hay, were intimately associated. He married at the age of 22 and his wife survives him. On October 8, while he was on his deathbed, they observed the fifty-sixth anniversary of their marriage.
For his first work, Mr. Weir received only $8 per month, and for years he struggled to assist his mother in raising her family. By applying his remarkable business ability and by fortunate investments, he amassed a fortune before he was 30 years of age. The Civil War gave him an opportunity to greatly increase his wealth and made him financially independent. He engaged in banking first at Mt. Vernon, Ind., and then at New Albany, Ind., being one of the leading citizens of the latter place for many years.
In 1902 he came to California and settled in San Diego and was one of the organizers of what is now one of the most prosperous banks in that city.
Four and one-half years later he moved to Los Angeles and had resided here continuously since then. He was one of the organizers of the Westlake M. E. Church, and gave thousands of dollars to its support, being president of its board of trustees at the time of his death. His charities were numerous and extensive, but were applied without ostentation. He let no one know how much he gave to charity, but it is known that he expended many thousands of dollars in that way. At his birthplace in Salem, he built one of the finest churches in Southern Indiana, as a memorial to his parents, and deeded it with a fine parsonage to the congregation, wholly without restrictions. The site of the church marks his birthplace.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m., at the Westlake M. E. Church and the interment will be in Rosedale. Besides his widow, Mr. Weir leaves two sisters, Mrs. Dr. W. P. Tucker and Mrs. E. W. Hollingsworth, both of Los Angeles, and a large number of more distant relatives.
DEATH CALLS A PHILANTHROPIST
Merrill A. Weir Succumbs to Paralytic Stroke
Amassed Fortune From an Humble Beginning and Devoted Large Portion of it to Charity and Church Work – Assisted in Founding Westlake M. E. and Other Churches
Merrill A. Weir, retired capitalist, philanthropist, and churchman, died at 2:30 o'clock yesterday morning at his home, No. 1041 Westlake avenue, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis which he sustained September 1, and which, for more than two months, rendered him practically helpless. His mental faculties were not affected, however, and realizing that he could not long survive, he directed how his extensive estate should be distributed so that the administration of it will be merely formal.
Mr. Weir was a native of Salem, Ind., and had he lived until December 2, he would have been 78 years of age. His parents and those of the late Secretary of State John Hay, were intimately associated. He married at the age of 22 and his wife survives him. On October 8, while he was on his deathbed, they observed the fifty-sixth anniversary of their marriage.
For his first work, Mr. Weir received only $8 per month, and for years he struggled to assist his mother in raising her family. By applying his remarkable business ability and by fortunate investments, he amassed a fortune before he was 30 years of age. The Civil War gave him an opportunity to greatly increase his wealth and made him financially independent. He engaged in banking first at Mt. Vernon, Ind., and then at New Albany, Ind., being one of the leading citizens of the latter place for many years.
In 1902 he came to California and settled in San Diego and was one of the organizers of what is now one of the most prosperous banks in that city.
Four and one-half years later he moved to Los Angeles and had resided here continuously since then. He was one of the organizers of the Westlake M. E. Church, and gave thousands of dollars to its support, being president of its board of trustees at the time of his death. His charities were numerous and extensive, but were applied without ostentation. He let no one know how much he gave to charity, but it is known that he expended many thousands of dollars in that way. At his birthplace in Salem, he built one of the finest churches in Southern Indiana, as a memorial to his parents, and deeded it with a fine parsonage to the congregation, wholly without restrictions. The site of the church marks his birthplace.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 2 p.m., at the Westlake M. E. Church and the interment will be in Rosedale. Besides his widow, Mr. Weir leaves two sisters, Mrs. Dr. W. P. Tucker and Mrs. E. W. Hollingsworth, both of Los Angeles, and a large number of more distant relatives.
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