David H. Weeks, born on March 29, 1821, in Herkimer County, New York, was a pioneer settler of both Illinois and South Dakota. After marrying Eliza Shaul in 1851, he farmed in Herkimer County before moving to Ogle County, Illinois, in 1859. In 1883, he relocated to Hand County, South Dakota, securing homestead and pre-emption claims in Pearl Township, where he developed a 320-acre ranch. Known for his successful farming and stock raising, Weeks was respected in his community. He and his wife, Eliza, had seven children: John, Ida, Alma, Dayton, Albert, Henry, and George.
David H. Weeks, who is one of the venerable and highly honored citizens of Hand County, where he is the owner of a valuable ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, has the distinction of being a pioneer of two states, having settled in Illinois in 1859 and having come to Hand County, South Dakota, in the days when its settlement had just been instituted.
Mr. Weeks was born in Herkimer County, New York, on the 29th of March, 1821, being a son of Levi and Jane (Hollenbeck) Weeks, of whose twelve children the subject is the only representative in South Dakota. The subject was reared on the homestead farm, and he early became inured to the strenuous toil involved, while his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. He continued to attend school at intervals until he had attained the age of eighteen years, and thereafter continued to be associated with his honored father in the work and management of the home farm until he was twenty-nine years of age. He was then, on the 15th of January, 1851, united in marriage to Miss Eliza Shaul, who likewise was born in the old Empire State, being a daughter of John B. Shaul, a prominent farmer of Herkimer County. After his marriage Mr. Weeks purchased a farm in Herkimer County, New York, and devoted himself to its improvement and cultivation for the ensuing six years, when he disposed of the property. In the same year, 1859, he removed to Illinois and located in Ogle County, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he continued to reside until 1883, when he came to what is now the state of South Dakota, having previously sold his farm in Illinois. Upon his arrival in Hand County he secured homestead and pre-emption claims, in Pearl Township, and the same comprise his present finely improved and valuable ranch, while on every side are evidences of the energy and good judgment which he has brought to bear in connection with his farming industry during the score of intervening years which have wrought such magical changes in this section of the Union. He is one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of the county and as a man and citizen commands the most unqualified esteem in the community. Though he is an octogenarian his years rest lightly upon his head and he is a man of great physical and mental vigor, though he now relegates the more onerous work of the ranch to his sons. Though not a member of any religious body he is a firm believer in the Christian faith and gives his support to church work, regardless of denominational lines. His political views are in harmony with the principles exemplified by the Populist party. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks, who have walked side by side on the journey of life for more than half a century, are the parents of seven children, namely: John, Ida, Alma, Dayton, Albert, Henry and George.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.