Civil War Veteran, Prisoner at Andersonville, Dies
Capt. J. H. Weeks of Upper Alton died this afternoon at his home after forty years of invalidism due to injuries and disease, which had their beginning while he was serving in the army during the Civil War. He had been at death's door for many months, but showed a wonderful vitality that surprised everyone. He was 70 years of age.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 13, 1906
The funeral of Captain Joseph H. Weeks will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the family home in Upper Alton, and will be private. The services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. J. C. C. Clarke, Rev. Dr. L. A. Abbott, and Rev. W. H. Bradley. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Joseph H. Weeks was born January 25, 1836 in New York City, the son of Harvey and Sophia (Waterbury) Weeks. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Capt. Weeks' mother was born in New York City, June 18, 1800, and died at his home in Upper Alton, October 2, 1891. He received his early education in the public schools of Brooklyn, N. Y. After leaving school, he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857 he came west, stopping first at Virden, and in 1860 he came to Upper Alton. Mr. Weeks enlisted in Company F, 32nd Illinois Infantry, September 1, 1861, being mustered into service at Camp butler, Illinois as second sergeant. On January 31, 1862 his regiment was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, where it was one of the few comprising Grant's army of the Tennessee. Two months later he was appointed color sergeant, having in the meantime been assigned to the first brigade, Fourth division, under General Hurlburt. Then came the battle of Shiloh, in which of his Color Guard of seven men, six were either killed or wounded. The weary months that followed are matters of history, and Mr. Weeks experienced no less hardships than the others. January 2, 1864 he re-enlisted at Nachez, Mississippi, and in February came home on a brief veteran's furlough. Rejoining his regiment, he participated in the Georgia campaign under McPherson. He was commissioned First Lieutenant to date from September 2, 1864. On October 28th, while in advance of his company who were on the skirmish line, he was cut off and taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville. Here he suffered the tortures of prison life for seven months. On his return to the Union lines he was a mere skeleton, almost blind and with limbs crippled with scurvy. Having spent some months in the hospital, he joined his regiment in Washington. His command was ordered to Louisville, St. Louis, and finally to Fort Leavenworth, where he received his commission as Captain, dated July 5, and on September 16, 1865, with his regiment, he was mustered out and returned to his home in Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was married October 4, 1865 to Miss Martha L. Mills, daughter of Rev. B. H. Mills of Upper Alton. She died February 9, 1869, leaving one son, Charles H., who survives his father and was with him during his last illness. Capt. Weeks was married at Jerseyville, April 1, 1873 to Miss Martha M. McGill, daughter of Thomas McGill. They have had six children, of whom three are now living: Harvey E. of Davenport, Iowa, Martha E., and Frederick T. of Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was appointed postmaster at Upper Alton, January 30, 1877, and held the office until 1885, when he was removed by a change of administration. He was re-appointed April 29, 1889 by Postmaster-General Wanamaker. On March 24, 1890, the office being raised to the third class, he was commissioned by President Harrison for four years, retiring from the office May 31, 1894, having served as postmaster for thirteen years. Captain Weeks has long been a faithful member of the Baptist church. For many years he has been a deacon in the Upper Alton church. His life in the community has been that of a Christian gentleman. His official record is one of which any man might well be proud. He has always been ready to respond to calls of distress, wherever the need. His last years have been full of physical distress and pain, but he has borne all with a wonderful patience and resignation. He has rounded out a life of devotion to his God, his family, and his country, and leaves a fragrant memory behind him.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 14, 1906
Capt. J. H. Weeks of Upper Alton died this afternoon at his home after forty years of invalidism due to injuries and disease, which had their beginning while he was serving in the army during the Civil War. He had been at death's door for many months, but showed a wonderful vitality that surprised everyone. He was 70 years of age.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 13, 1906
The funeral of Captain Joseph H. Weeks will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the family home in Upper Alton, and will be private. The services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. J. C. C. Clarke, Rev. Dr. L. A. Abbott, and Rev. W. H. Bradley. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Joseph H. Weeks was born January 25, 1836 in New York City, the son of Harvey and Sophia (Waterbury) Weeks. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Capt. Weeks' mother was born in New York City, June 18, 1800, and died at his home in Upper Alton, October 2, 1891. He received his early education in the public schools of Brooklyn, N. Y. After leaving school, he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857 he came west, stopping first at Virden, and in 1860 he came to Upper Alton. Mr. Weeks enlisted in Company F, 32nd Illinois Infantry, September 1, 1861, being mustered into service at Camp butler, Illinois as second sergeant. On January 31, 1862 his regiment was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, where it was one of the few comprising Grant's army of the Tennessee. Two months later he was appointed color sergeant, having in the meantime been assigned to the first brigade, Fourth division, under General Hurlburt. Then came the battle of Shiloh, in which of his Color Guard of seven men, six were either killed or wounded. The weary months that followed are matters of history, and Mr. Weeks experienced no less hardships than the others. January 2, 1864 he re-enlisted at Nachez, Mississippi, and in February came home on a brief veteran's furlough. Rejoining his regiment, he participated in the Georgia campaign under McPherson. He was commissioned First Lieutenant to date from September 2, 1864. On October 28th, while in advance of his company who were on the skirmish line, he was cut off and taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville. Here he suffered the tortures of prison life for seven months. On his return to the Union lines he was a mere skeleton, almost blind and with limbs crippled with scurvy. Having spent some months in the hospital, he joined his regiment in Washington. His command was ordered to Louisville, St. Louis, and finally to Fort Leavenworth, where he received his commission as Captain, dated July 5, and on September 16, 1865, with his regiment, he was mustered out and returned to his home in Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was married October 4, 1865 to Miss Martha L. Mills, daughter of Rev. B. H. Mills of Upper Alton. She died February 9, 1869, leaving one son, Charles H., who survives his father and was with him during his last illness. Capt. Weeks was married at Jerseyville, April 1, 1873 to Miss Martha M. McGill, daughter of Thomas McGill. They have had six children, of whom three are now living: Harvey E. of Davenport, Iowa, Martha E., and Frederick T. of Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was appointed postmaster at Upper Alton, January 30, 1877, and held the office until 1885, when he was removed by a change of administration. He was re-appointed April 29, 1889 by Postmaster-General Wanamaker. On March 24, 1890, the office being raised to the third class, he was commissioned by President Harrison for four years, retiring from the office May 31, 1894, having served as postmaster for thirteen years. Captain Weeks has long been a faithful member of the Baptist church. For many years he has been a deacon in the Upper Alton church. His life in the community has been that of a Christian gentleman. His official record is one of which any man might well be proud. He has always been ready to respond to calls of distress, wherever the need. His last years have been full of physical distress and pain, but he has borne all with a wonderful patience and resignation. He has rounded out a life of devotion to his God, his family, and his country, and leaves a fragrant memory behind him.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 14, 1906
Civil War Veteran, Prisoner at Andersonville, Dies
Capt. J. H. Weeks of Upper Alton died this afternoon at his home after forty years of invalidism due to injuries and disease, which had their beginning while he was serving in the army during the Civil War. He had been at death's door for many months, but showed a wonderful vitality that surprised everyone. He was 70 years of age.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 13, 1906
The funeral of Captain Joseph H. Weeks will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the family home in Upper Alton, and will be private. The services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. J. C. C. Clarke, Rev. Dr. L. A. Abbott, and Rev. W. H. Bradley. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Joseph H. Weeks was born January 25, 1836 in New York City, the son of Harvey and Sophia (Waterbury) Weeks. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Capt. Weeks' mother was born in New York City, June 18, 1800, and died at his home in Upper Alton, October 2, 1891. He received his early education in the public schools of Brooklyn, N. Y. After leaving school, he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857 he came west, stopping first at Virden, and in 1860 he came to Upper Alton. Mr. Weeks enlisted in Company F, 32nd Illinois Infantry, September 1, 1861, being mustered into service at Camp butler, Illinois as second sergeant. On January 31, 1862 his regiment was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, where it was one of the few comprising Grant's army of the Tennessee. Two months later he was appointed color sergeant, having in the meantime been assigned to the first brigade, Fourth division, under General Hurlburt. Then came the battle of Shiloh, in which of his Color Guard of seven men, six were either killed or wounded. The weary months that followed are matters of history, and Mr. Weeks experienced no less hardships than the others. January 2, 1864 he re-enlisted at Nachez, Mississippi, and in February came home on a brief veteran's furlough. Rejoining his regiment, he participated in the Georgia campaign under McPherson. He was commissioned First Lieutenant to date from September 2, 1864. On October 28th, while in advance of his company who were on the skirmish line, he was cut off and taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville. Here he suffered the tortures of prison life for seven months. On his return to the Union lines he was a mere skeleton, almost blind and with limbs crippled with scurvy. Having spent some months in the hospital, he joined his regiment in Washington. His command was ordered to Louisville, St. Louis, and finally to Fort Leavenworth, where he received his commission as Captain, dated July 5, and on September 16, 1865, with his regiment, he was mustered out and returned to his home in Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was married October 4, 1865 to Miss Martha L. Mills, daughter of Rev. B. H. Mills of Upper Alton. She died February 9, 1869, leaving one son, Charles H., who survives his father and was with him during his last illness. Capt. Weeks was married at Jerseyville, April 1, 1873 to Miss Martha M. McGill, daughter of Thomas McGill. They have had six children, of whom three are now living: Harvey E. of Davenport, Iowa, Martha E., and Frederick T. of Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was appointed postmaster at Upper Alton, January 30, 1877, and held the office until 1885, when he was removed by a change of administration. He was re-appointed April 29, 1889 by Postmaster-General Wanamaker. On March 24, 1890, the office being raised to the third class, he was commissioned by President Harrison for four years, retiring from the office May 31, 1894, having served as postmaster for thirteen years. Captain Weeks has long been a faithful member of the Baptist church. For many years he has been a deacon in the Upper Alton church. His life in the community has been that of a Christian gentleman. His official record is one of which any man might well be proud. He has always been ready to respond to calls of distress, wherever the need. His last years have been full of physical distress and pain, but he has borne all with a wonderful patience and resignation. He has rounded out a life of devotion to his God, his family, and his country, and leaves a fragrant memory behind him.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 14, 1906
Capt. J. H. Weeks of Upper Alton died this afternoon at his home after forty years of invalidism due to injuries and disease, which had their beginning while he was serving in the army during the Civil War. He had been at death's door for many months, but showed a wonderful vitality that surprised everyone. He was 70 years of age.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 13, 1906
The funeral of Captain Joseph H. Weeks will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the family home in Upper Alton, and will be private. The services will be conducted by Rev. Dr. J. C. C. Clarke, Rev. Dr. L. A. Abbott, and Rev. W. H. Bradley. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Joseph H. Weeks was born January 25, 1836 in New York City, the son of Harvey and Sophia (Waterbury) Weeks. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. Capt. Weeks' mother was born in New York City, June 18, 1800, and died at his home in Upper Alton, October 2, 1891. He received his early education in the public schools of Brooklyn, N. Y. After leaving school, he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857 he came west, stopping first at Virden, and in 1860 he came to Upper Alton. Mr. Weeks enlisted in Company F, 32nd Illinois Infantry, September 1, 1861, being mustered into service at Camp butler, Illinois as second sergeant. On January 31, 1862 his regiment was ordered to Cairo, Illinois, where it was one of the few comprising Grant's army of the Tennessee. Two months later he was appointed color sergeant, having in the meantime been assigned to the first brigade, Fourth division, under General Hurlburt. Then came the battle of Shiloh, in which of his Color Guard of seven men, six were either killed or wounded. The weary months that followed are matters of history, and Mr. Weeks experienced no less hardships than the others. January 2, 1864 he re-enlisted at Nachez, Mississippi, and in February came home on a brief veteran's furlough. Rejoining his regiment, he participated in the Georgia campaign under McPherson. He was commissioned First Lieutenant to date from September 2, 1864. On October 28th, while in advance of his company who were on the skirmish line, he was cut off and taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville. Here he suffered the tortures of prison life for seven months. On his return to the Union lines he was a mere skeleton, almost blind and with limbs crippled with scurvy. Having spent some months in the hospital, he joined his regiment in Washington. His command was ordered to Louisville, St. Louis, and finally to Fort Leavenworth, where he received his commission as Captain, dated July 5, and on September 16, 1865, with his regiment, he was mustered out and returned to his home in Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was married October 4, 1865 to Miss Martha L. Mills, daughter of Rev. B. H. Mills of Upper Alton. She died February 9, 1869, leaving one son, Charles H., who survives his father and was with him during his last illness. Capt. Weeks was married at Jerseyville, April 1, 1873 to Miss Martha M. McGill, daughter of Thomas McGill. They have had six children, of whom three are now living: Harvey E. of Davenport, Iowa, Martha E., and Frederick T. of Upper Alton. Captain Weeks was appointed postmaster at Upper Alton, January 30, 1877, and held the office until 1885, when he was removed by a change of administration. He was re-appointed April 29, 1889 by Postmaster-General Wanamaker. On March 24, 1890, the office being raised to the third class, he was commissioned by President Harrison for four years, retiring from the office May 31, 1894, having served as postmaster for thirteen years. Captain Weeks has long been a faithful member of the Baptist church. For many years he has been a deacon in the Upper Alton church. His life in the community has been that of a Christian gentleman. His official record is one of which any man might well be proud. He has always been ready to respond to calls of distress, wherever the need. His last years have been full of physical distress and pain, but he has borne all with a wonderful patience and resignation. He has rounded out a life of devotion to his God, his family, and his country, and leaves a fragrant memory behind him.
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 14, 1906
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