John Nelson Weddle, M.D.

JOHN NELSON WEDDLE, M. D. One of the oldest families of Westmoreland county is that represented by Dr. John Nelson Weddle. of Monessen. One of his ancestors, in 1755 came from Hagerstown or its vicinity in Pleasant Valley Maryland, and settled in what is now Rostraver township, Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by his son, and together the two erected a log cabin, took up land and began the work of clearing. The son remained to keep possession with dog and gun while the father returned to Maryland, and in the spring of 1756 returned with the other members of the family. The descendants of this pioneer ancestor have ever since resided in Westmoreland county.

James Weddle was horn February 4, 1822, on the homestead, which was situated on the banks of the Youghiogheny river, and was a blacksmith, following his trade at McKeesport, Reagantown and West Newton. At forty years of age he gave up the business and bought a farm in Sewickley township, which was his home until two years prior to his death when he moved to West Newton and there passed the remainder of his life. He was interested in local affairs and held various minor offices, among them that of school director. Mr. Weddle married Sarah Ann Parker, and five children were born to them: Nancy, married James Andrews, of Westmoreland county; Edward P., a physician in Scottdale; Elizabeth, married Frank Cochran, of Scottdale: John Nelson, mentioned hereafter; and Jessie M., married Ezra Al. Kirk, of Greensburg. The death of Mr. Weddle occurred March 28, 1901, at his home in West Newton.

John Nelson Weddle, son of James and Sarah Ann,(Parker) Weddle, was born September 3, 1858, at McKeesport, where he received his primary education in the public schools, afterward attending the Indiana State Normal school. He spent three years as civil engineer for the Negleys, of Pittsburg. He studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Edward P. Weddle, and in 1887 received from the Western Pennsylvania Medical College the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He entered upon the practice of his profession in Braddock, whence in 1893 he moved to Madison, leaving that place the following year for West Newton, where he remained until 1901, when he settled in Monessen, having throughout these changes always continued to be a resident of his native state. He is surgeon for the Pittsburg Steel Company, at Monessen. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical Societies, and belongs to the Knights of Malta, Monessen Commandery. No. 332. In addition to these he is one of the charter members of Valetta Commandery Knights of Malta, of Braddock. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Weddle married, December 26, 1889, Margaret Emma, daughter of Robert and Harriet (Weimer) Douglas. of Newton, and three children have been born to them two daughters and a son: Lulu, Harriet, and Robert Edward.  

Source: Page(s) 247-248, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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