James A. Weston
James Adams Weston | |
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| 33rd Governor of New Hampshire | |
| In office June 3, 1874 – June 10, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Ezekiel A. Straw |
| Succeeded by | Person C. Cheney |
| In office June 14, 1871 – June 6, 1872 | |
| Preceded by | Onslow Stearns |
| Succeeded by | Ezekiel A. Straw |
| 18th Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire | |
| In office 1870–1871 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac W. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Person C. Cheney |
| 16th Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire | |
| In office 1868–1868 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph B. Clark |
| Succeeded by | Isaac W. Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 27, 1827 Manchester, New Hampshire |
| Died | May 8, 1895 (aged 67) Manchester, New Hampshire |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Anna S. Gilmore Weston |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College (honorary MA) |
| Profession | civil engineer banker politician |
James Adams Weston (August 27, 1827 – May 8, 1895) was a civil engineer, banker, and an American politician from Manchester, New Hampshire who served as mayor of Manchester for several terms and was twice Governor of New Hampshire.
Early life
Weston was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, and grew up helping on the family farm. He was educated in the district school, the Manchester Academy and the Piscataquog Academy. Determined to become a civil engineer, he taught school during the winters, and at the age of nineteen, was appointed assistant civil engineer of the Concord Railroad in 1846.
Career
Promoted to the position of Chief Engineer in 1849, Weston was also performed the duties of road master and master of transportation of the Concord and the Manchester & Lawrence railroads. He surveyed and superintended the construction of the Concord water-works.
Though Manchester was predominately a Republican city, Weston was elected mayor of Manchester in 1861, 1867, 1869 to 1870 and in 1874.[1]
Having secured the 1871 Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Weston was named by the legislature as the official governor after a close election. During that same year, Dartmouth College bestowed an honorary Master of Arts degree upon him.[2] He served from June 14, 1871 - June 6, 1872. Failing in 1872 and 1873, he was successful in winning reelection in 1874 and served from June 3, 1874 - June 10, 1875. During his two terms, Democratic judges were appointed and an important railroad merger was authorized.
Completing his term, Weston retired from political life, but continued to stay active in banking, insurance and railroad matters.
Death
Weston died in Manchester on May 8, 1895 (age 67 years, 254 days). He is interred at Pine Grove Cemetery, Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, USA
Family life
Son of Amos and Elizabeth Betsey Wilson Weston, he married Anna S. Gilmore on February 23, 1834, and they had five children: Grace W., James Henry Weston, Edwin Bell, Anna Mabel, and Herman.[3]
References
- ^ Weston, James. History of New Hampshire. John Norris McClintock B. B. Russell, 1888 - New Hampshire. p. 657.
- ^ Weston, James. Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men. J.B. Clarke, 1882 - New Hampshire. pp. 85–88.
- ^ Weston, James. Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire: A ..., Volume 3. Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 1280–1282.
External links
- List of mayors of Manchester, New Hampshire
- Weston at New Hampshire's Division of Historic Resources
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