James A. Weston

James Adams Weston
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(s) Anna S. Gilmore Weston
Children Grace W. Easton Eames
James Henry Weston
Edwin Bell Weston
Anna Mabel Weston
Herman Weston
Alma mater Dartmouth College (honorary MA)
Profession civil engineer
banker
politician
Religion Congregationalist

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

  1. Weston, James. History of New Hampshire. John Norris McClintock B. B. Russell, 1888 - New Hampshire. p. 657.
  2. Weston, James. Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men. J.B. Clarke, 1882 - New Hampshire. pp. 85–88.
  3. Weston, James. Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire: A ..., Volume 3. Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 1280–1282.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Joseph B. Clark
Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire
1868–1868
Succeeded by
Isaac W. Smith
Preceded by
Isaac W. Smith
Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire
1870–1871
Succeeded by
Person C. Cheney
Preceded by
Onslow Stearns
Governor of New Hampshire
18711872
Succeeded by
Ezekiel A. Straw
Preceded by
Ezekiel A. Straw
Governor of New Hampshire
18741875
Succeeded by
Person C. Cheney
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