JAMES WEEKS

JAMES WEEKS

James Weeks, one of the practical and enterprising farmers of Nemaha county, makes his home on section 36, in Clear Creek township. A native of England, his birth occurred in Kent, in 1822, his father being Thomas Weeks. At the age of twelve years he started out in life for himself, and since that time has been dependent upon his own labors and resources. He worked at any employment which he could secure for a period of ten years and then resolved to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, having received favorable reports concerning the privileges and advantages afforded to young men in the new world. Accordingly he bade adieu to home and friends and crossed the briny deep to Canada, where he continued to reside for five years, his time and energy being devoted to work in a saw-mill. On the expiration of that period he removed to Wisconsin, where he was employed in the lead mines for sixteen years. He then came to Nemaha county, where he secured a tract of eighty acres of land and began farming. During his first two years residence here his crops were destroyed by grasshoppers, and it was with great difficulty that he made his expenses; but his resolute spirit enabled him to persevere in his work and fate was more favorable in the third year, good crops resulting from his planting. As time has passed his accumulations have been augmented and he is to-day the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which is well improved. His residence, erected in 1889. stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise. This is supplemented by substantial barns and outbuildings, and in appearance the farm is neat and thrifty, indicating the careful supervision and progressive spirit of the owner.

Mr. Weeks was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Pekin, a native of Canton, England. The wedding was celebrated in that country, and Mrs. Weeks was about twenty-one years of age when they came to the new world.

Their union has been blessed with ten children :William, Emily, deceased, Charity, James, Leonard, George, Albert, Julia, deceased, Lettie and Alice. Two of the daughters are now married, and George, James and William are married and living in homes of their own.

Mr. Weeks exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church and enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Mr. Weeks has never yet had to regret his determination to seek a home in America. He has enjoyed the privileges of the republic, has profited by the opportunities it has afforded and is to-day the possessor of one of the fine farms of Nemaha county where he lives in the midst of many warm friends.