Boss Weaver Named 2025 Hometown Hero
Along with being recognized as Hometown Hero, Boss was one of many veterans to be recognized in the Hometown Hero Banner program, which saw several signs be put up throughout the square, honoring veterans from Allen County.
By Damon Stone,
Staff Writer
During this year’s Jacksonian Festival, James “Boss” Weaver was celebrated, and put onto the Wall of Fame, in recognition of his service during World War II, joined by his family.
Weaver had won several medals for his service, including the Victory and Honorable Service medals, Good Conduct Medal, the Army Occupation Medal with Japanese Class, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
“He is one of countless others who fought perilously for the freedoms we enjoy today,” Susan Carter, the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said in her speech. “At 99-years-old, he is Allen County’s last surviving veteran.”
Weaver is the second oldest child of nine, and helped support his parents to feed his siblings by hunting for squirrels and rabbits, and never shied away from hard work, Carter said.
Boss shared stories from his time in the war, with help from Janice Stinson, Boss’ youngest daughter, detailing how he had been up in a plane, and had to quickly learn how to land it. “I’ve done about everything in my lifetime,” Boss recalled.
“Before 18, he ran to work on a pipeline, and run a bulldozer, and once he got those accomplished, he joined the military,” Carter explained. “He continued making an impact on his family by sending home one half of his paycheck each time he earned one, so that he could help support his parents and his siblings.”
After returning home, Weaver married his wife and moved to Indiana to work on a livestock and vegetable farm, using a snowplow and helping to clear snow from his neighbor’s driveway, making sure that they were able to get to the grocery store, Carter said.
“He also invited neighbors to come into his house when there were problems with electricity,” Carter continued. “He had a coal stove, and he invited friends and neighbors in to help them stay warm. He’s always been known to be a kind-hearted individual.”
Whenever Weaver had returned to Allen County, he worked with the Allen County Road Department, which allowed him to meet lots of people in Allen County, and make lots of friendships.
“I’ve done about everything in my lifetime,” Weaver recalled.
Weaver shared a story about how, during the war, he had been up in a plane, and had to learn how to land the “son of a gun,” whenever he was up there.
Weaver was presented with the award, commemorating and congratulating him for being in Allen County.
In the application process, Holly Wood, chairman of the City of Scottsville Historic Preservation Commission, declared in a written statement, “James ‘Boss’ Weaver is more than a veteran; he is a symbol of dedication, and has the enduring spirit of Allen County.”
James “Boss” Weaver was recognized as the 2025 Hometown Hero for his service during World War II, his hard-working, dedicated and resilient nature. Boss is honored among several other greats of Allen County on the Wall of Fame. From left to right, Janice Stinson, Mayor David Burch, James “Boss” Weaver,” County Judge-Executive Dennis Harper and Carol Weaver.
