My Genealogy Hound

HON. HENRY K. WEAND, additional law judge of the Montgomery county courts, is a native of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He was born March 28, 1838. When he was quite young his parents removed to Philadelphia, where he attended the public schools for some time, and took a course at the “Hill School,” of Prof. Meigs, at Pottstown. On leaving this institution he began the study of law with Hon. B. Markley Boyer, of Norristown, afterwards a member of Congress, and still later judge of the Montgomery county courts, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1860, when he was twenty-two years of age.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Rebellion, Mr. Weand enlisted in Company K, Fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, and, on the company being mustered into the service of the United States, at Harrisburg, he was elected first lieutenant of the company, which was enlisted for three months, in accordance with the popular opinion at that time that the war would be of very short duration. The term of the regiment expired just prior to the battle of Bull Run, and it was mustered out of service, but Judge Weand was one of the few who volunteered to remain and participate in that conflict.

In August, 1862, Mr. Weand again enlisted. He entered as a private the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. He was mustered into the service of the United States at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, on the eve of the battle of Antietam, taking part in that action with a part of his regiment. The regiment was soon afterwards ordered to the west, where it became attached to the Army of the Cumberland, with which it was identified to the end of the war. Captain Weand was promoted to the position of captain, and was mustered out with his regiment in June, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee. He was promoted through the various grades solely by reason of his merit. He was commissioned as first lieutenant of Company M in the spring of 1863. He participated with part of the regiment in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was on duty day and night during that fight which continued for several days. The detachment to which he belonged was in the advance in the opening of the battle by General Sherman.

Captain Weand was also a participant in the great battle of Chickamauga, in September, 1863, and took an active part in each day’s fighting in that terrible contest. During his three years of service Captain Weand participated in nearly all the engagements of his regiment, including Antietam, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Dandridge, Mossy Creek, Knoxville, Red Hill, and many others. He was on duty in connection with the operations of his command in the following states: Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. He had the respect of his men, and his services were highly appreciated by his superior officers. In February, 1865, he was commissioned as captain of Company H. During the memorable campaign in East Tennessee, where General Longstreet, of the Confederate Army, wintered after his defeat at Knoxville, fighting with Longstreet’s troops was a matter of almost daily occurrence, and Captain Weand and his company had much severe service on the French Broad river.

On being mustered out of the military service, Captain Weand returned to Norristown, and resumed the practice of law, in which he soon rose to eminence. He was twice nominated for district attorney on the Republican ticket, but the county being at that time strongly Democratic, he, as a matter of course, failed of election. When General Hartranft was in command of the Second Division of the National Guard, he placed Captain Weand on his staff with the rank of major. He was also judge-advocate of the state, with the rank of brigadier general, on the staff of Governor Hartranft.

Judge Weand served as school director from the fourth ward of Norristown for many years, and was long the president of the school board. He was solicitor for town council, for the county commissioners, and for the sheriff of Montgomery county. He was for many years solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Montgomery county, retiring from that position when he went upon the bench. He was counsel for the heirs of Letitia McClenachan, who disputed her will, and he succeeded in having the instrument set aside. He was attorney for the contestant in the argument before the legislature in the contested election for judge in the Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, in 1872. In 1887 Attorney Weand was appointed additional law judge of Montgomery county by Governor Beaver, and in the following year he was the Republican nominee for the position. He was re-elected for the full term of ten years by a large majority. In 1898 he was again nominated and elected by an overwhelming majority.

As a lawyer, Judge Weand stood at the head of the profession in Montgomery county. His ability, legal learning and his mental acumen gave him preeminence such as is enjoyed by few members of the profession. He was very successful in the practice of law, being earnestly devoted to the interests of his clients. His career as a judge has been also brilliant and highly honorable. His opinions are models of brevity and logical reasoning, and he has very seldom been reversed by a higher court. As a lawyer, a judge and a citizen, he enjoys the confidence and respect of the community.

Judge Weand is a member of Zook Post No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic, and also of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of Pennsylvania.

Judge Weand married, April 23, 1868, Miss M. L. Boyer, daughter of John Boyer. Their children: Harriet, wife of H. Jones Brooke, of Norristown; Sarah E. and Ralph H.