Biography of Jay Gilfillan Weiser

JAY GILFILLAN WEISER

Source: Pennsylvania, A History, George P. Donehoo, (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1926), p. 154

Surnames: Weiser, Gilfillan, Jones

Jay Gilfillan Weiser – Six generations from his illustrious forbear,
Conrad Weiser, Jay Gilfillan Weiser is an honored and useful citizen of
that commonwealth whose earliest history bears the record of his
ancestor’s distinguished services. One of the youngest men in the
inner councils of the Democratic Party, Mr. Weiser is held in high
esteem and confidence by the public at large for his high sense of
professional and political honor and for his fine qualities of mind and
character.

Mr. Weiser was born at Mahantango, Juniata County, son of Jonathan
and Mary (Gilfillan) Weiser. On his father’s side he traces his
descent in unbroken line from Conrad Weiser through his second son,
Frederick, and on down through Jacob, John, Peter, and Jonathan, his
father. Conrad Weiser emigrated from Germany in 1710 and first settled
at Newburgh-on-the-Hudson, moving to Pennsylvania long before the
Revolutionary War. Because of his pre-eminent qualities of mind and
character, he became a leader of his day, rendering invaluable service
to the Province of Pennsylvania in effecting treaties with the
different Indian tribes. Historians rank him as one of the most noted
and distinguished of the public men who placed Pennsylvania among the
leading colonies. His unimpeachable character and his reputation for
fair dealing as an interpreter, as well as his diplomatic ability in
arranging matters of importance in adjusting the disposition of the
land gained for him great influence among both the Indians and the
members of the Colonial government. To this work he gave himself
during the best years of his life, making several long journeys beset
by dangers from the southeastern part of Pennsylvania to the far
interior, going as far as the Great Lakes of New York and Canada, and
returning in safety. He died on July 13, 1760, crowned with long life
and honor, and was interred near Womelsdorf, Berks County. On his
mother’s side, Mr. Weiser inherits Irish and Welsh blood, her maternal
ancestors being descended from the Jones family, who lived on the
famous Welsh Tract adjoining Philadelphia, contemporary with William
Penn.

Jonathan Weiser, the father of Jay Gilfillan Weiser, was born at
Womelsdorf, but in early manhood settled in Mahantango, where he became
engaged in business. He also was singled out by his fellow-citizens
for positions of trust, and was elected associate judge, a position
which he had held but a short time when he was removed by death from
the scene of his labors.

Jay Gilfillan Weiser was educated at the Millersville State Normal
School, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1882,
taking the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In addition to his university
law course, he was fortunate in having the opportunity to read law in
the offices of the Hon. Louis E. Atkinson, ten years a representative
in Congress from the Eighteenth Pennsylvania District, as well as with
the Hon. Richard Vaux, ex-mayor of Philadelphia, and Judge Michael
Arnold, of the same city. Upon motion of Mr. Vaux he was admitted to
the Philadelphia bar in June of 1882, and for a time remained in
association with him. Then, deciding to strike out and make his own
career, he located in Middleburg, Snyder County, on December 23, 1886,
where he has since practiced. Mr. Weiser soon identified himself with
his party in local and State affairs, where his magnetic personality
and preeminent gifts of mind and heart have made him a leader. In 1888
his party nominated him on their ticket for district attorney, but he
was defeated by the Republican majority in that section of the country.
He was a delegate to the State Democratic conventions of 1889 and
1891, and in 1896 was sent as a delegate to the National Chicago
Convention, which nominated William Jennings Bryan for the Presidency.
Mr. Weiser’s political tenets are based on the Jeffersonian traditions
of the organization. His council is frequently sought as a
representative of his district, and he has had a voice in many
conventions met to nominate State candidates and enunciate party
platforms. Recognition of his ability was accorded him when Governor
Pattison appointed him as one of the five commissioners to prepare the
“History of the Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania,” erected as garrisons
by the Province as a means of defence against the Indians. This
difficult and exacting work he performed with the same fidelity that
marks the carrying out of any task which he undertakes.

Mr. Weiser is solicitor for the First National Bank of Middleburg,
also for the First National Bank of McClure, Pennsylvania, and the
Middleburg Spinning Mill, Inc.; the B. Edmund David, Inc., of New York
City; the New York Weaving Mill, at Beavertown, Pennsylvania; and J.
Paskus & Son, Inc., of New York City, leather manufacturers in
Middleburg. Mr. Weiser is secretary and treasurer of the Snyder County
Bar Association, and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
During the late world War he was also a member of the Legal Advisory
Board. He is the first president of the recently organized Snyder
County Historical Society, and is always counted upon to support every
progressive movement or institution of his community. Mr. Weiser was
confirmed as a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church by the Right
Rev. Darlington, Bishop of the Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Diocese.