Biography

1867 - 1944

Son of Frederick Simon and Mary (Hammer) Weller, John S. was born in Somerset County, November 1, 1867; educated in public schools, Bedford County; private schools; Pennsylvania State University; graduated with a Civil Engineering degree in 1889; employed by the United States Geodetic Survey; abandoned a “promising” career in engineering and entered the law firm of  Russell and Longenecker in Bedford.  He read law; was admitted to Bedford Bar in 1891; was elected district attorney, 1894-1897; and elected to the state Senate in 1898.  He moved to Pittsburgh after the adjournment of the 1901 session (1902 was a biennial off-year); received an appointment from Mayor (and former state Senator) Willaim Magee, to the Pittsburgh Planning Commission; and continued a successful private law practice, specializing later in corporate law.  The senator served as president of the National Bank of South Pennsylvania, at Hyndman.  He died on September 26, 1944.