John Weber, grandfather of August Weber, of Schenectady, was born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1780. He was a farmer, an occupation followed by his ancestors in Switzerland for many generations. He was an educated and well informed man; a Protestant in religion, prosperous and respected. He married in his native land a Swiss girl who bore him three children:
- John (see forward);
- Jacob, born in Zurich, lived and died in his native land;
- Barbara, married and died in Switzerland.
(II) John (2), son of John (1) Weber, was born in Zurich, Switzerland, in April, 1814, died in his native canton, 1904. He married Barbara Huver, born 1815, died 1852. She lived and died in Switzerland, descending from a long line of Swiss ancestors. Her father, who was a miller by trade, died at the age of ninety years. John (2) and Barbara Weber had two, children:
- Wilhelmenia, born in Zurich, 1843, died August, 1906; married Professor Anton Largearder, dean or director of the state seminary at Zurich. He was a prominent Swiss educator and died in 1903, leaving five children.
- August, (see forward).
(III) August, son of John (2) Weber, was born in Zurich, Switzerland. He was of a mechanical, inventive turn of mind and was educated in one of the mechanical trade schools of his city, becoming an expert worker in steel and iron. After receiving his diploma from the trade school, he travelled and worked in the different cities of the continent, his skill as a workman gaining him employment wherever he chose to go. In 1870 he sailed for the United States via Liverpool, on the steamship "City of Brussels," arriving in New York, June 7, of that year. Until 1874 he was employed in the machine shops of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. His skill as a mechanical expert attracted the attention of the great inventor, Thomas A. Edison, with whom he was closely associated in his experiments and inventions for many years. Mr. Weber had invented a number of instruments and appliances used by the dental profession, and leaving Mr. Edison he established a shop and factory for the manufacture of his own patented articles. He conducted this business successfully for some years, when he sold his patents and factory to the S. S. White Company, dental supply manufacturers of Philadelphia. He was again associated with Mr. Edison's interests and was especially assigned to the difficult task of perfecting porcelain attachment and other features of Mr. Edison's electrical inventions. In 1896 Mr. Weber located a factory in Schenectady for the manufacture of the electrical instruments and appliances of his own invention. He has built up a large business, employing two hundred people and as a mechanic, inventor and manufacturer has established a reputation second to none. He is a member of the Reformed church of Schenectady, of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a Democrat in politics. He married, in New York City, Mary Schweizer, born in Switzerland in 1845. Her father, John Schweizer, lived and died in Switzerland. She came to the United States in 1868, accompanied by her brother Martin. Children:
- August (2), born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, July, 1872; was graduated from Stevens Institute, Hoboken, New Jersey, and entered Cornell University, where after taking a special course in electrical engineering he was graduated with high honors, class of 1881, and is a high, recognized authority in the electrical world. He is a member of the Schenectady Club. Unmarried.
- John, born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1875; was educated in the common schools; after serving his time at the trade of machinist, he took a course in the Albany Business College. He is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons. He married Laura Fabry, of Schenectady. Both sons are associated with the Weber Electric Company.