History - John W. Weeks
John Wingate Weeks
John Wingate Weeks
The ship’s namesake, John W. Weeks, was born on April 11, 1860, in Lancaster, New Hampshire and was raised on a local farm. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1881, served two years in the United States Navy, became a civil engineer/land surveyor in Florida, and thenJohn Wingate Weeks returned to New England. He co-founded the Boston financial firm Hornblower and Weeks in 1888. He also made a fortune in banking during the 1890’s. Mr. Weeks served in the Massachusetts Naval Brigade acting as it’s commander for the last six years.
Mr. Weeks became active in politics, first at a local level in Newton, Massachusetts, (alderman 1899-1902, mayor 1903-1904), then on the national scene. He was elected in 1904 as the U.S. Representative for Newton, Massachusetts, serving in that position until 1913 at which time he was appointed U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. At the Republican Convention in 1916, John W. Weeks was put forward as a possible Presidential Candidate, but did not receive the nomination. Thereafter, despite his defeat for re-election to the Senate in 1918, Mr. Weeks remained active in national politics. He served as Secretary of War (1921-1925) under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. He sustained a stroke in April 1925. After resigning the Secretary of War position, due to failing health, he returned to his home on Mount Prospect in Lancaster, New Hampshire, where he died on July 12, 1926.
John W. Weeks is best remembered for his efforts in establishing the Eastern National Forest System (The “Weeks Act”), while serving in the House of Representatives, which proved to be the foundation for the United Stated Forest System. The year 2011 marks the100th Anniversary of the historic Weeks Act of 1911.
Mr. Weeks’ home, located within the 420 acre Weeks State Park in Lancaster, New Hampshire, is situated at the very top of Mount Prospect. The park and house are open to the public during the summer months. The house and grounds provide a 360degree panorama of mountain splendor.