Photograph of Col. James T. Weaver, [property of  Mrs. Verne Rhoades]. 

Biographical information:

What others have said about William Trotter Weaver ...

"...is the son of the late Col. James Thomas Weaver and Hester Trotter Weaver.  He was born on July 18, 1858 in the Reem's Creek Valley, one of the lovliest of the many lovely valleys of Buncombe County....His great grandfather was one of the first of that strong and daring body of men who at the close of the Revolutionary War crossed the Blue Ridge and settled in the great French Broad Valley. (1907. Ashe, Samuel. Biographical History of North Carolina..., Vol. VI, p. 501.)

"For several years [Col]. James Thomas Weaver, father of William, was clerk of the County Court of Buncombe and while...leading his regiment, the sixtieth North Carolina, of which he was lieutenant-colonel, was killed in battle near Franklin, Tennessee in December 1864. (1907. Ashe, Samuel. Biographical History of North Carolina..., Vol. VI, pp. 501, 502.)

"...At the age of eighteen, when [William] had completed the Sophomore course at Weaverville College, he conceived it to be his duty to give up the hope of completing a college education, to aid in the education of his younger sisters.  He sought and obtained a position as clerk, and for a year or two worked for a salary of $12.50 per month and board and from the carefully saved proceeds paid several hundred dollars balance due upon his own tuition and that of his younger sisters. (1907. Ashe, Samuel. Biographical History of North Carolina..., Vol. VI, p. 501.)

"He began his active busy life with the Saluda Mfg. Co. at Columbia, South Carolina, where he remained until 1882, when he returned to his native county and engaged in successful mercantile business for several years in Asheville. He was appointed by Pres. Cleveland postmaster of the city of Asheville, and...filled that position from 1885 to 1889....For a short period he was president of the National Bank of Asheville, and it was perhaps more due to him than any other that when that institution went into liquidation in the great financial storm of 1893-96, every depositor was promptly paid in full.  From 1893 to 1896 he was president and moving spirit in the building and operation of the Asheville and Biltmore Street Railway. (1907. Ashe, Samuel. Biographical History of North Carolina..., Vol. VI, p. 503.)

"About this time...[he] believed there were great possibilities for the benefit of the public, and profit for the individual in the utilization of the abundant water powers of the French Broad River for electrical power.  This led to the great work of his life.  He acquired a suitable location on the river, four or five miles from Asheville, and set about, unaided...to develop it.  For the first time...that turbulent stream was crossed by a great dam of solid granite, and its...force harnessed for the uses of man.  The work was long, the financial obstacles sometimes seemed insurmountable, and a less brave and sturdy spirit would have failed.  But he persisted, and today the completed work, sending its electric currents into every industry and business in and around Asheville, is a monument to the...courage and wisdom of its...builder.  In addition he has been prominently connected with the cotton manufacturing business in both North and South Carolina and in the development of Asheville in many practical ways. (1907. Ashe, Samuel. Biographical History of North Carolina..., Vol. VI, pp. 503, 504.)

On Feb. 1, 1887, he...married Miss Annie L. Johnston,...of this union there is a daughter. (1907. Ashe, Samuel. Biographical History of North Carolina..., Vol. VI, p. 504.)

 Bibliography:

Ashe, Samuel. Biographical History of North Carolina..., Vol. VI, 1907, p. 501-504.)