Leah [Radel] Weaver (1921-2008) was a well-known artist of Elizabethville, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Millersburg Art Association. The portrait of her (above) was done by Ethel Hottenstein of the Millersburg Art Association as a tribute to her on the occasion of her 50th birthday.
Leah Weaver began painting shortly after she married Ned Weaver during World War II in Madison, Wisconsin, and was one of the early members of the Millersburg Art Association and also was a member of the Harrisburg Art Association. Leah had a strong interest in history as well.
Ned’s career in the garment manufacturing industry took him to the south in order to meet requirements of clothing contracts for his factories, one of which was located in his hometown of Elizabethville. Leah often accompanied him on those trips. On many occasions Ned and Leah would tour historic sites – particularly those related to the Civil War. Over the years, Ned took many pictures of southern plantations and their stately homes – from Natchez, Mississippi, to Tidewater Virginia, and from North Carolina to Tennessee. Leah took a special interest in painting the plantation scenes – particularly the homes. After visiting the sites, Leah would refer to Ned’s pictures to complete the paintings. Ned did not recall how many mansion home paintings she produced during those years – perhaps, too many to count. In time, the paintings got dispersed – sold or given away – and only one remained in Ned’s possession in 2011 – the one of Orton Plantation shown below.
Orton Plantation is located near the southernmost part of North Carolina in an area known as Lower Cape Fear. The town of Brunswick is the closest community. The history of the plantation goes back to Colonial times with interesting stories of Indian raids and buildings being destroyed. At one time the plantation was owned by Col. Maurice Moore, a colonial governor and father of Supreme Court Associate Justice Alfred Moore. In 1826, the home that was built there was purchased by Dr. Frederick Jones Hill who kept it in his possession through the Civil War until January 1865. Union soldiers then confiscated the house and plantation and used it as a headquarters and military hospital.
Leah’s obituary appeared in the Upper Dauphin Sentinel at the time of her death which occurred on 3 February 2008:
Leah E. Radel Weaver
ELIZABETHVILLE – Leah E. [Radel] Weaver, 86, died 3 February 2008 at the Holy Spirit Hospital.
Born 16 May 1921 in Mifflin Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Radel and Annie [Shaffer] Radel.
She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Berrysburg, Millersburg Art Association, Harrisburg Art Association, Antique Auto-mobile Club and Gratz Historical Society.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Harry Radel, Franklin Radel, Arthur Radel and Mark Radel and four sisters, Mabel [Radel] Henninger, Edna Radel, Silva [Radel] Dockey and Bertha [Radel] Bunser.
Surviving are her husband of 63 years, Ned M. Weaver; two sons, A. Michael Weaver of Ojai, California, James R. Weaver of Concord, North Carolina; a sister, Martha [Radel] Hoover of Camp Hill; two brothers, Paul Radel of Dauphin RD and Dean Radel of Bellview, Florida; five grandsons; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held 7 February 2008 at Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home. Burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery in Elizabethville.
Ned Weaver died on 22 September 2012 while visiting his son in California.
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