Edmund C. Weeks

Edmund Cottle Weeks was born on March 10, 1829, and passed away on April 12, 1907. He was an important American politician. One of his biggest roles was serving as the third Lieutenant Governor of Florida. Being a Lieutenant Governor means that he helped lead the state and supported the governor in making decisions for the people of Florida. His work helped shape the history of the state during his time.

Early life

Edmund C. Weeks was born on March 10, 1829, in Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. His parents were Captain Hiram Weeks and Margaret D. Cottle, who was related to Senator Thomas C. Platt from New York. After sailing with his father to South America, Weeks studied medicine for three years in New York City at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. However, he preferred life at sea, so he became a sailor and later joined a boat business.

When the American Civil War began, Weeks joined the Union Navy and took part in the Battle of New Orleans. He later led the 2nd Florida Cavalry as a major in the Union Army. After the war ended, he made his home in Tallahassee, Florida.

Lieutenant governorship

Edmund C. Weeks was chosen to be Lieutenant Governor of Florida by Governor Harrison Reed on January 24, 1870. He started his job that same day, but some people did not agree with how he was chosen. The State Comptroller refused to give him his pay until the Florida Supreme Court got involved.

Because Weeks was only meant to be Lieutenant Governor for a short time, an election was held on November 8. Samuel T. Day won the election and became Lieutenant Governor on January 3, 1871. Weeks later asked the Supreme Court to say that Day was not allowed to be in the job, but the court decided that Weeks’s time as Lieutenant Governor had ended.

Later life

Edmund C. Weeks served in important roles in Florida. He represented Leon County in the Florida Legislature and the Florida House of Representatives. He also worked as the Leon County sheriff. As a member of the Republican party, he tried to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1878 but did not win. In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison chose him to be the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida.

Weeks married twice—first to Mary Jones in London, and later to Elizabeth Hunt Crafts in Tallahassee on June 6, 1890. He passed away in Tallahassee in 1907 at the age of 78.