The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-06-01
Liking For Naval Affairs.

.. Liking For Naval Affairs.
Though a landsman with the heritage
Of khe farm behind him, Cadet Weeks
developed a strong liking for naval af-
fairs and the following of the sea dur
ing his four years at Annapolis. This
interest he has never lost. although by
the act Of August ), 1882. Congress leg
islated him and some seventy other
members of the Glass of 81 out of the
Navy. In that year, with ninety ca
dets graduating from the Naval Acad-
emy, Congress found that there were
more officers available than there were
berths to fill on shipbOard. But ten
members of the Class were retained in
the service, the others being sent out
to make their fortunes in civil life.
Though John Weeks has been far
more successful than the average man.
fighting his way upward to place Of
influence in the business world and
claiming his share of the hOnOrs that
accompany distinguished public serv-
ice, even now he is inclined to resent
the turn of fortune which denied him
a career in the Navy. From this view
point. Senator Weeks present advOca-
cy of preparedness can well be colored
by the personal grievance he bears
Congress in legslating him out Of his
chosen career,-because at the time we
were too much prepared"
Entering the Naval Academy in 1877,
Senator Weeks graduated four years
later with the class of 81. At the
Academy Cadet Weeks. besides show
ing aptitude in his naval studies, also
displayed unusual athletic prOwess. In
gymnasium competitions it was young
Weeks who lifted the heaviest dumb
bells and who was the pivot man in
the "hish-haSh-hOsh' exhibition. In
those days the Naval Academy did not
participate in intercollegiate football or
intercollegiate rowing, but rivalry was
keen among the classes in cutter rae
ing. Cadet Weeks was stroke oar on
many winning crew. In the artillery
vi III W CChS anu llH hON
General George Barnett, Chief of the
Marine Corps. were the men on the
end OF the drag-rope pulling the 3-inch
field piece. TO the strong men of the
squad this honor was delegated.
Upon graduation from the Academy
Midshipman Weeks, with the members
of his class, sailed from New York
to Aspinwall-nOw COlon-crossed the
Isthmus of Panama, and sailed on the
United States Ship Richmond" for Yo
kohama, where the middies of the
Glass of 81 spent two years at thu
Asiatic station
Successful Banker and Broker.
Senator Weeks has never broken the
bonds of warm friendship forged a
the Naval Academy during his SIX
years study in the arts of the fighting
man atioat. AS an alumnus Of the
Academy, he has always been prom
inent in its alumni reunions, where
he is invariably called upon to respond
to the roast THE, Graduate In Civil
Life
Perhaps it was its unhappy fate at
being separated; ut any rate. the Class
of 81 has kept up" with one another
as has no other Naval Academy class
They have held regular biennial re-
unions to which members have come
from all parts Of the world In 1908
Vice-Admiral UFiu was the guest of
honor at the Class Reunion held that
year, an elaborate affair attended by
President Taft and most of the mem,
bers of his official family.
Senator Weeks eRtry into civil life
was not attended with any flare OF
trumpets. The young engineer went tC
Orlando, Florida, to hunt a job. This
he secured with the Florida Land Com
pany, and by dint of hard work and
the happy faculty of making friends
which he has manifested throughout
his career. he soon became Deputy
County Surveyor.
After Weeks had made rapid strides
ahead in the engineering profession
fortune again intervened and turned
the course of his life. \ Florida ac
quaintance, who took a strong liking Il
Mr. Weeks. advised him that Mr.. Horn
blower, son of the senior partner il
the then firm of HornblOwer and Page
was seeking business partner, anC
that he would be glad to recommend
Mr.. Weeks as the man for the arrange
ment.
For twenty-five years, subsequently
John Weeks participated in the bank
ing and brokerage affairs of the firm o.
Hornblower and Weeks. Just as h'
had been successful as cadet at An
napolis and as an engineer in Florida
so John Weeks climbed the rungs Of
the business ladder to position o.
influence and wealth. Il am not near
ly as wealthy as most people think
but | am wen enough off 80 that
don't have to worry" is the modes
way Senator Weeks puts it.
During the years of his business ac
tivity in Boston. Mr. Weeks found OF
portunity to continue his interest il
naval affairs. For ten years he serveC
in the Massachusetts Naval Brigade
commanding it Immediately before ant
during the Spanish-American War. o.
July -, 1898, Weeks received com
mission as Lieutenant i'll command o
the Second District of the United State
Auxiliary Navy, whose duty it becam
to guard the Atlantic Coast from New
Hampshire to Rhode Island. Although
the Massachusetts Brigade had no &C
tual fighting to do. 1t made an excel
lent record for general efficiency an,
Lieutenant Weeks and his comman'
were highly commended by the Nav,
Department when they were mustere,
out of the Service at the close Of tn
war.
Rapid Riss In Public Life.
Senator Weeks rise in public life ha
been rapid He aeryed for three year
as Alderman in Newton, his home city
for two years he was Mayor, and coul