Jesse William Weik

Background

Weik, Jesse William was born on August 23, 1857 in Greencastle, Indiana, United States. Son of Louis and Katharine (Schmidt) Weik.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Asbury (now DePauw) University, 1875, Master of Arts, 1883.

Career

Admitted to bar, 1880, never practiced. After graduation from college spent several years in and around Springfield, Illinois, where became deeply interested in the history and career of Abraham Lincoln. Formed a literature connection with William H. Herndon, who was Lincoln’s law partner for many years.

Carefully interviewed Lincoln’s contemporaries and many others who had known him intimatley.

Also visited Kentucky, where Lincoln was born, and Southern Indiana, where he spent his boyhood, studying his development from every point of view. Pioneered telphone communications.

Author: (with William H. Herndon) Herndon and Weik’s Life of Lincoln, 1889, revised edit in 2 volumes, 1892. History of the Republican, 1908.

Contributor to Century, Outlook, American, and other magazines on Lincoln incidents and other history topics.

Has one of the largest and most valuable collections of Lincoln letters and Master in Social Service. in the country. Now The Jesse West. Weik Collection, Library of Congrss. Author: The Real Lincoln, 1922.

History of Putnam County, Indiana.

Achievements

• Jesse William Weik has been listed as a notable author by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

• Other Work

  • Author: (with William H. Herndon) Herndon and Weik’s Life of Lincoln, 1889, revised edit. in 2 vols., 1892. History of the Republican, 1908. Contributor to Century, Outlook, American, and other mags. on Lincoln incidents and other history topics.
    
    Has one of the largest and most valuable collections of Lincoln letters and Master in Social Service. in the country. Now The Jesse W. Weik Collection, Library of Congrss. Author: The Real Lincoln, 1922.
    
    History of Putnam County, Indiana.

Membership

Member American History Association, Western Writers’ Association, Lincoln.

Connections

Married Frances A. Hayes, December, 1890 (died March 1911). Children: John Edward, Mary Hays.