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GEORGE W. WEEKS.

Tradition, which in this case seems to be kin to fact, says that the first ancestor of this honorable family in New England came from Wells, Somersetshire, England, and settled at Winnicut river, that part of Portsmouth now forming the town of Greenland. His name was Leonard Weeks, but nothing is known of his father. He reached the site of his new home in February, 1660-61, where he passed the rest of his life, dying in 1707. He was active in the affairs of the day, and during the political contest in 1665 respecting the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts he espoused the cause of the last named, incurring considerable expense as well as public rebuke for his outspoken opinions relative to the matter. We learn by the records that he was fined to the amount of ten shillings for the vehemence with which he stated his arguments in controversy with another of opposite views. In 1666, he was elected selectman, and he was afterwards constable, while for several years he was sheriff. In 1669, he "was on a committee" with men from Dover and Hampton, "to lay out the highway between Greenland and Bloody Poynt."

George Warner Weeks, the subject of this memoir, was born in Boscawen, N. H., August 12, 1827, the son of Dudley J. and Lucy Sampson Weeks, being the youngest of their five children. His mother dying when he was less than a year old, George was taken into the family of Rev. Parker D. Fogg.

Mrs. Fogg, who was Betsey Sampson, a sister to his mother, took a motherly interest in his care, and leaving most pleasant memories in his youthful mind. Mr. Weeks in later years' always spoke of her as "Mother Fogg." At the age of fifteen he went to live with his eldest sister, Mary Jane, who had become the wife of the widely known harness maker of Hooksett, Benjamin J. Gile. George worked a short time in his shop, and then came to Manchester, where he worked in the

pioneer factory of the then young manufacturing town. Within a year, however, we find him in Boston, and when he was but a little over sixteen, he shipped as cabin boy on a merchant ship bound for Calcutta and the Indian Archipelago. The experiences of that two years' voyage upon one of the oldline trading vessels was such as to leave a permanent impression on the mind of him who participated in them. Among other adventures that fell to the lot of our cabin boy was the burning of the vessel to the water's edge while on the return voyage. This thrilling incident took place off the shore of St. Helena, which island became a haven of refuge to the castaways. During his stay here George sought the tomb of Paul and Virginia, where he inscribed his name, a fact that he always delighted to refer to in speaking of his thrilling story of sea adventures.

Upon reaching his home-land he sought again the town of Manchester, teaching school for several years in the Harvey district. During this period he formed the pleasant acquaintance of one of Hopkinton's fair daughters, and upon September 27, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Mead, the daughter of Albeacham and Susan Clough Mead. This union proved extremely felicitous, and the couple made their home here in Manchester. Three children were born to them: Laura A., who died at six years of age; Medora, who married Alonzo Elliott; and George Perley, who settled in Haverhill, Mass. The last two, as well as the widow and four grandchildren, survived him.

Mr. Weeks had been attracted to the shoe business, and he entered soon after his marriage the employ of Asa S. Trask, who both made and sold footwear at 48 Elm street, midway between Hanover and Amherst streets. Through his steady industry and frugal habits Mr. Weeks had saved enough from his wages so that in 1853 he was able to take advantage of panic prices, and buy up a stock of goods with which to begin

trade for himself, which he did, realizing a handsome profit at the outset. From this he increased his business until he became one of the foremost shoe dealers in the city, sharing with George W. Dodge and George W. Thayer the honor of standing at the head of the boot and shoe trade in early Manchester. His shop was in the old building known as "The Ark," which stood where the Weeks block now stands. He continued in his business without a break until 1873, when for a short time he gave it up, only to return for another period a little later. Finally he retired permanently from the shoe business, and entered into fire insurance, in which calling he showed such marked success he was made vice-president of the People's Fire Insurance Company, filling the position with credit to himself. In 1890, he withdrew from insurance, and devoted the balance of his years to the care of his real estate. As well as a man of strict business principles, Mr. Weeks was a steadfast patron of music and a strong friend to education. He was a member of the school board for several terms, and president of the board for years. He was firm in his religious convictions, and one of the most zealous and energetic supporters of the Unitarian church, being for several years president of the society. In summing up his character one of the local papers at the time of his decease (The Union) said:

"Mr. Weeks was one of the valuable men of the community. Sound to the core in principle, he was a stalwart figure in business circles, while his tastes led him to interest himself in religion and the artistic side of life, in which spheres his influence was always wholesome. For more than half a century he was in the public eye of this city, as a business man, a leader in educational councils, a progressive religious layman, a vigorous, many-sided man of affairs, and as those fifty years and more are looked back upon, it is with a feeling of profound esteem."

His death occurred upon the evening of September 10, 1903,

at his home, No. 102 Bay street, after a lingering illness arising from a complication of diseases, fourteen days past his seventy-eighth birthday. He was a member of Lafayette Lodge, A. F. and A. M.; Mount Horeb Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Adoniram Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Trinity Commandery, Knights Templar. He was a member and Past Grand of Mechanics' Lodge, I. O. O. F., Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of New Hampshire, and Past Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of the United States. He became a member of the Manchester Historic Association at the quarterly meeting, September 18, 1901.

G. W. B.

WILLIAM T. EVANS.

William Twombly Evans was the son of William and Hannah (Twombly) Evans, and was born at Barrington, N. H., August 13, 1824, one of a family of eight children. His grandfather, Lemuel Evans, was a soldier in the Continental army and a short time prior to his death received a land pension in recognition of his services. Both his grandfather and father lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years.

Mr. Evans was married November 10, 1847, to Adaline Frances Clough, of Bow, and they celebrated their golden wedding in 1897. Four children were born to them, two dying quite young, while a daughter, Addie L., died at seventeen, leaving one daughter, Grace W., who, with her mother, survives him of the immediate family. Having already been working in Manchester about two years, he now came to make this city his permanent home. "He first went to work for the late John H. Maynard," said The Mirror in its notice of his decease, "and was afterwards employed in the Manchester mills for about twenty years. He had charge of the repair department for a long time.

"He was elected superintendent of streets of Manchester in the early seventies and served two terms, was out a year and was then re-elected for another term. He performed the duties of his office in a faithful and efficient manner and earned the high respect of his fellow citizens. Some of Manchester's important streets were built under his supervision.

"After his final term of office he went into the wood-working business for a time, but for many years past he had been engaged in the real estate business, making the care of tenements his specialty. He gave his close attention to this up to the time of his last- illness, and displayed unusual energy and activity for a man of his years.

"Captain Evans was a prominent figure in the old volunteer fire department and was chosen foreman of Engine 6 Company in the early fifties. He not only distinguished himself as a fearless fire fighter and a skillful leader of his company, but under his captaincy the company won fame in many of the big hand tub tournaments of those days. The title of captain, which was conferred upon him then, clung to him in after years, as his fellow citizens and former associates remembered his good works in the volunteers.

"Captain Evans was afterwards a member of the regular fire department and was attached to one of the companies at the central fire station on Vine street. He was with the Manchester contingent that went to Boston to render aid at the big fire in November, 1871. He retired from the department when elected to the head of the street department.

"Captain Evans was a member of the Manchester Old Residents' Association, the Manchester Historical Association, and the Franklin-street Congregational church. He was active in Odd Fellow circles and was a member of Mechanics' Lodge and Wonolanset Encampment. He was a stanch Democrat in politics and was an active worker for the party. He kept up a keen interest in political work to the last year of his life,

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