Born January 4, 1833, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, to James Weir, Jr. and Elizabeth Hill.
Married to Robert McGrath July 2, 1857, Jo Daviess County, IL.
Esther and Robert had at least eight children:
Name Date of Birth Birth Place James Edward (Ed) McGrath 04-23-1858 Derinda Center, Jo Daviess County, IL Charles Marvin McGrath 02-23-1863 IL Wilmer Weir (Will) McGrath 01-05-1870 Derinda, Jo Daviess County, IL Benjamin Robert (BR) 05-17-1873 IL Mary (died as infant) David Eda Sadie
We have specific records for the first four children, but so far nothing for the last four - these last four are maintained here as family verbal and anecdotal history includes these four (and the Derinda Township history below lists Mary).
In the US Federal Census taken 1860, Robert, Esther, and son James lived in Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
In the US Federal Census taken 1880, Robert and Esther lived in Derinda, Jo Daviess County, Illinois with their four sons.
In the US Federal Census taken 1900, Robert and Esther lived in Woodland Township, Carroll County IL. The record states that they were married for 43 years and that they had five children with four surviving. Robert was a farmer. They lived next to their son James Edward (Ed) McGrath and his wife Hattie and their six children.
James married Hattie, and they had six childred. James was a farmer, and died April 29, 1932, Woodland. IL. He was buried May 1, 1932, Zion Cemetery, Mt Carroll, IL.
Wilmer married Henrietta (Etta) DelaVergne March 8, 1893, Elsie, Perkins County, NE (Note: Etta is Ida May's sister). They had son Floyd and daughter Gladys. Wilmer was a physician. He died in a tragic car/fall accident January 9, 1937, Carroll County Illinois. Son Floyd was also a physician.
Benjamin was a physician. He was married twice. First to Susan Williamson and had three children. After Susan died, he married Dessie and had two more children. Family stories say that WD McGrath went to Grand Island to practice medicine with or near his uncle Ben. Ben died November 18, 1940, Grand Island NE. He is buried in Grand Island Cemetery with 1st wife Susan and their son William.
Esther died January 5, 1907, unknown location, buried in Zion Cemetery, Mt Carroll, IL.
Last revised July 19, 2013