David Weigel

David Weigel is the oldest of the permanent pioneer settlers of Orient Township, and is a resident on section 4, where he entered a homestead claim, and of which he took possession April 19, 1867. He has placed 52 acres under good improvements.

Mr. Weigel was born Nov. 8, 1838, near Carlisle, Cumberland Co. Pa. His parents, Jacob and Catherine (Ressler) Weigel, were of German descent, and were educated in both English and German. the former was born in 1806, and died in Wilmot, Ind., aged 42 years. The latter was born Aug. 17, 1810, and still resides where her first husband died. Both were natives of the Keystone State.

Mr. Weigel was but ten years of age when his father died, and his mother was again married a few years afterward. He was educated with some care in early youth, and completed his education by attending school from the age of 18 years to the attainment of his majority, at Goshen, Ind. He has been occupied at various times in teaching, engaging in that business during two terms in Iowa and four terms in the State of Indiana.On the 17th of July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 124th Ill. Vol. Inf., his command being assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division and Seventeenth Army Corps, under General Logan, Corps Commander. After the action at Vicksburg the regiment was transferred to the Sixteenth Corps, under General McPherson. His regiment was engaged in the fight at Fort Gibson, Baker's Creek, Jackson, Champion Hills and Vicksburg. After the transfer to the Department of the Gulf, Mr. Weigel was in action at Mobile, and went thence to Montgomery, where he was discharged, aug. 15, 1865, and went to Wilmot, Ind. He was wounded in Mississippi while on scouting duty. The detail was lying on the ground and a six-pound Parrott ball, on a voyage of discovery, dropping in among the men, cut off one man's arm and also one knee-pan belonging to the same individual, passed over to Mr. Weigel who lay next behind, and inflicted a severe injusy to his right arm. He was yet incapacitated when discharged from the army, and engaged during the following winter in teaching school.Mr. Weigel is independent in political views and action.

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