David Patton Weems

SEPT 2, 1912: Judge D. P. Weems of Newtonia who has been quite sick for some time is reported as holding his own and feeling confident of recovery. Dr. D. L. Weems has been with him nearly all the time for two weeks.

-- SEPT 12, 1912 (Page 1): JUDGE D. P. WEEMS DIES AT NEWTONIA. -- OLD AND HONORED CITIZEN PASSES AWAY AFTER LONG AND USEFUL CAREER

-- David Patten Weems, an honored citizen of Newton County both in private and public life for over 50 years, died at his home in Newtonia last Saturday morning. He had been in poor health from tuberculosis for several years and for the past year had failed more rapidly. He was in Neosho about three weeks ago and a few days afterwards had an attack of dysentery which sapped his vitality to such an extent that he could not rally. The news of his death was received with profound sorrow in Neosho as well as throughout the county where he was so well known and loved. The funeral services were held Sunday morning at 10 o'clock at the M. E. Church, South, in Newtonia, where he had been a member nearly all his life. The services were conducted by Rev. W. W. Albright pastor of the church assisted by Judge W. A. Phipps who had charge of the masonic rites as the District Deputy Grand Master. Following the address of Rev. Albright, Hon. M. E. Benton of Neosho delivered an eloquent funeral address on the life and character of the deceased who had been his life-long friend. The attendance at the funeral was very large, about 30 people going from Neosho and many from distant parts of the county.

David Patten Weems was born in Tennessee near Greenville Feb. 8, 1838, the son of Rev. John Weems. His father died in 1843 and the mother and six children then came to Newton county and settled on Indian creek where David P. grew into manhood. At the age of 18 he began clerking in a store on Indian creek and before he was 20 he became a partner in the business, the firm name being Boone & Weems. He continued in this business until 1860 when Mr. Boone died and he then moved to Rocky Comfort where he sold goods for a year. At the beginning of the war in 1861 Mr. Weems enlisted as a private in the Confederate army in Gen. M. M. Parsons' brigade and was in active service until 1865. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and was wounded at Helena, Ark. After the war he farmed in Arkansas for a year and was married there to Miss Amanda Reagor, a niece of Col. Boone, who died soon afterwards. He then came back to Missouri and engaged in merchandising at Rocky Comfort in the firm of Ritchey & Weems. He remained there two years and moved to Newtonia in 1871 when the firm name was changed to D. P. Weems & Co., remaining so until 1883 when he purchased Mr. Ritchey's interest. Mr. Weems was married again in 1869, his second wife being Miss Minerva Boone, a daughter of Col. Noah Boone, a descendant of the noted Daniel Boone, who survives him. Mr. Weems was a leader in democratic politics in the county and state. When the county was changed from township to county organization he was appointed county collector by the governor. He was elected county judge for the eastern district in 1880 and county collector in 1898. He was a member of the county committee nearly all the time when he was active in politics and served also as county chairman. In lodge, school and church work, Mr. Weems was also an active worker and a leader and he gave liberally of his time, energy and means to all public enterprises for the benefit of the community. He was successful in the mercantile business and his store at Newtonia was one of the largest in the county. Mr. Weems was a man of very strong character and positive opinions on all public questions and ever ready to express and contend for his convictions of what he deemed right. He was earnest and conscientious and took the most serious view of the problems of life. His influence for good in his community was very strong and it will live as long probably as that of any man who has ever lived in the eastern part of this county. Besides his wife, four children, two sons and two daughters, survive, namely, Emmet H., Bernola and Miss Rhoda who live at Newtonia and Mrs. Dot Briggs of Vinita. Six of his children preceded him. Two sisters, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Dodson and a half brother, Noah Carter, and a half sister, Mrs. Kirby, also survive. He leaves also many near relatives in the county. *Source - Neosho Times - Virginia Brown

Added: Apr. 13, 2009 Note: Confederate Civil War officer.   Married Amanda Reagor and later Minerva Boone.  Parents were Rev. John Weems and Rhoda Munsey.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 20 2018, 18:54:19 UTC