Person:William Hawks (1)

Biography

History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri (1886) p. 459-460 William Hawks (deceased) (Late of the Vicinity of Hamilton) The name that heads this sketch was borne by one of the best residents of Caldwell county, for from his settlement here at an early day he became closely connected with the affairs of the locality. Born in Grayson county, VA, October 22, 1809, he was taken by his parents when a child to East Tennessee, where he was reared and received a limited education. October 13, 1831, he married Miss Sarah Bowers, a native of Orange county, N. C., born February 16, 1813. She was the daughter of Green and Sarah (Cooper) Bowers, who moved with their family to East Tennessee in 1823. The Hawks are of English origin and have been settled in Virginia from early colonial times. The Bowers are also of English ancestry and were among the colonists who first inhabited the Old North State. In 1838 Mr. Hawks and family removed with the Bowers family (except Green Bowers) to Daviess county, Mo., where they passed the winter, in the spring coming to New York township, Caldwell county. They witnessed many privations and hardships in their new home but overcame all obstacles with a mighty will, and succeeded in making a splendid home for themselves and family. At the time of Mr. Hawks' death, which occurred November 26, 1864, there were among the well-to-do- people of the county. Mr. H. was no political aspirant, but was a lifelong Democrat. The Baptist Church found in him a consistent member, and in all the relations of life he was an upright consistent Christian man. His principal occupation was farming, but some time after coming here he erected a steam grist and saw mill on Cottonwood creek. To him and his wife were given the following children: Hardin T., Martha J., Green B., John V., Sarah E., Andrew M., William., Polly A., James M., Nancy A., Charlotte C. and Charles C. Mr. Hawks and his wife were noted for their dislike of display. Since her husband's death Mrs. Hawks has resided upon the old homestead, and is now recognized as being among the very oldest living settlers of the county. THe home farm is principally in charge of Wm. M. Hawks, who is a native-born citizen of the county, born September 6, 1843. He was reared to manhood upon his father's farm and received his education in the district schools of th neighborhood, from boyhood being accustomed to constant and sometimes hard labor. In 1863 he entered the State militia, infantry, serving until the close of the war. He saw considerable active service and was take prisoner at Glasgow, Mo., but soon released, or, rather, paroled. Upon his return home he began farming as an occupation, and this he has since continued. His first purchase of land was 40 acres, to which he has since added until his present place includes 160 acres of well cultivated land. His marriage to Miss Matilda Edwards took place April 20, 1871, she having been the daughter of Isaac Edwards; she was born in Carroll county, Va., March 31, 1849. The greater part of what Mr. Hawks now has is the result of his own labors, and he is known as a practical and successful agriculturist and stock-raiser. Politically he is in sympathy with the National Greenback party. He has held the positions of justice of the peace, assessor and is at present the collector of the township. He belongs to the Christian Church. James M. Hawks, a brother to William M., was also born on the old homestead in Caldwell county, November 1, 1848, and was brought up on the farm, being the recipient of a common school education. He has always given his attention to tilling the soil, and now owns a good farm of 90 acres. November 7, 1876, Miss Mary Simmons became his wife. The place of her birth was in Defiance county, O., and the date in 1854. To them have been born four children: Frederick, Leroy and Ettie, twins, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Hawks is a Democrat politically.