Abner Weed facts for kids
Abner Edward Weed (born September 18, 1842, in Dixmont, Maine – died June 14, 1917, in Weed, California) was an important figure in California's history. He was a soldier, a businessman, and a politician. He is best known for founding the city of Weed in northern California.
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Abner Weed: A Life of Adventure and Building
Abner Weed lived a life full of changes and big projects. He started as a soldier and later became a key person in developing parts of California. His work helped shape towns and industries.
Early Life and Military Service
Abner Weed was born in Maine in 1842. When he was older, he joined the army. He fought in the American Civil War with the 8th Maine Infantry Regiment. He was even there when General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox, Virginia. This event helped end the war.
Moving to California
After the war, Abner Weed married Rachel C. Cunningham in 1866. Three years later, in 1869, they moved to California. They first settled in Truckee. For the next 20 years, he worked on developing the land between Truckee and Sierraville.
Building a Town and Businesses
In 1889, Abner Weed and his family moved to Mount Shasta. Here, he became very active in business and development in Siskiyou County.
- He founded the large businesses and land known as the "Weed holdings" in the area that became the city of Weed.
- He also built the Hotel Weed in Dunsmuir, California, which was named after him.
- In 1902, he built 30 miles of railroad from Weed to Grass Lake and sold it to the Southern Pacific Company.
- In 1904, he sold his big properties in Weed to R.A. Long.
- He also owned a lot of land in Oregon, Scott Valley, and near Stockton.
A Leader in Politics
Besides his business ventures, Abner Weed also served the public. He was a state Senator for his district from 1907 to 1909. Before that, he was a supervisor for Siskiyou County for eight years. This means he helped manage the county's affairs.
