FRANK G. WEEKS, the present editor and publisher of the Carson Critic, was born near Dixon, Illinois, March 29, 1857, the son of George P. Weeks, a native of New Hampshire, and later a resident of Illinois. His wife, Philena (Potter) Weeks, was born in Kennebec County, Maine, but previous to her marriage had resided in New Hampshire. In 1872 the family removed to Iowa, settling in Macedonia, now Carson Township, where they still reside. At the time of settlement the county was still in its pioneer period, and the settlers were compelled to undergo many of the hardships and privations of a frontier life. The family still resides on the home farm, which is located two miles directly east of Carson. One son, Osmon B. Weeks, is one of the progressive and successful farmers of the county, and two daughters, May and Janet, also reside at home.

An attendance of two or three months of each year at the district schools constituted the entire educational advantages afforded the subject of this sketch. This he supplemented, however, by the reading of such books and papers as he was able to borrow or as his limited means would enable him to buy. When his services were not needed at home, he herded cattle on the prairies, worked for neighboring farmers, and in fact followed the routine life of a boy on a farm. In 1880 the building of the railroad from the Botna Valley, and the location of the towns of Carson, Oakland and Macedonia opened a new era for that country, and in the advantages thus afforded he shared equally with all others. In that year he assisted Julian & McManima in the establishment of the Carson Fairdealer, working in their interests until he became convinced that the personal policy of the publishers was decidedly at variance with the somewhat pretentious title of the paper.

His father's death occurring in the spring of 1881, he assumed charge of the farm, in which he continued until the winter of 1886-87, when he purchased an interest in and assumed the management of the Carson Critic, in the publication of which he is still engaged. The success in this while in no way phenomenal, it has been very satisfactory, the paper enjoying an unusually good local patronage, and maintaining an excellent standing with the press of the district.

While in no sense a politician, Mr. Weeks has always taken an active interest in political matters, both of a local and general nature. Always an avowed supporter of the principles of the Republican Party, his political efforts have been along the line of its advancement.