New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-07-25
OBITUARY.
DEXTER A. HAWKINS.

NEw-LoNDoN, July "a Special. Dexter A.
Hawkins died the Fort Grswoli House, Groton, ~
1890 to-day Of heart disease The first symptoms
OF the disease noticed about three months
ago, Immediately after his return from Washing
ton. where lie had been important professional
business connection with matters pending before Con-
gress The disease developed rapidly and fatal term-
nation has been apprehended for some weeks THIS
morning Mr. Hawkins lay down for nap and died wne
he slept His family consists OF wife, one son, Eugene
d. Hawkins, and two daughters, one OF whom mas
reached womanhood, while the other Is girl OF ten
years. Mr.. Hawkins was Frustrated by the death OF
q younger son who graduated from Harvard
in 1854 and after travelling abroad about eight months
died Of Roman fever. this bereavement he has
gradually but nocesby failed in strength and his fam
lily think tina, he his powers by hs strict de-
votlon to his business. The body was taken to New
YORK, accompanied By Mrs. Hawkins and SON
Mr. Hawkins came from a old New England family
OF English origin claiming descent from the famous
Admiral of the sixteenth century, Sir John Hawkns
HIS grandfather native OF Rhode Island. served 10 Ihe
Revolution and his father, Henry who went as Method
st to Name took up arms in the war OF ISL
Dexter born in Canton. Oxford County, Me- ID
1925 He studied his fathers tuition and mastered
mathematics engineering rapidly that az ne age
of sixteen appointed by the county OWL engineer
10 ay out a public road which was In dispute He coon
became teacher Of mathematics in Bethel Academy.
and afterward in BrdReton Academy AT
the same time studied the classics under Moses
and entered Bowdon College In ls4t Deng %
all the expenses OF his education lie was CHOSEN oy
the State Board Of Education lecturer upon puoc Id
position ied for four years. giving eacn year
course OF fortyfve Lectures In lS49 he was principal
OF Topsham Academy and them declining the position
OF ALT professor OF mathenstcsn New-Enesnu
college aud OF secretary state Board Of Education
he began the stud OF law the office OF William PITT
Fessendeu OF Portland Ne. From there be went 70 tue
Harvard Law School, and afterward 10 the La school
IN Paris In 1853 he London to study the Eng
sh courts while there received MS nrst Zee ot
thousand dollars for successfully terminating TN, tne
! litigation OF some American clients wnich
had been pending for thirteen years .h-s.
courses OF lectures before three teachers Institutes
Connecticut. and on January ls9i opened sa oheo
at No 10 wsst where ne remained for twenty seven
Years. In year he declined diplomatic posr
ton Prevented by an early injury to ms 100. rJ he
entering active service at the outbreak OF the az
was prominent in raising two regiments anu 10 carns
for the sick ana WOUNDED; he n,,c instrucoa
and reform He advocated the establishment by Con
sdepaftment of the with Cabinet officer
az ts head In 1869 1871 published some reports
Property" and on "rne Duty Of the state to Protect
the Free Common Schools by organic law; Ane eT
posure OF Roman Catholic schemes TO destroy
Tue free non-sectarsn schools by the use OF PuoLe
a CONSTITUTIONAL amendment adopted forbiddlng sucn
legislation. In 1873 M Hawkins published Hepo ,r
cuated. At the request OF the state committee on
he drew o sec eaucsuo oD Which be-
came a law on May II, 1874. In March 1879, ne
| delvered an address In Boston on The Educauonal
! Problem In the Cotton States advocating state pro
y,on for free elementary education, to be secured oy
an amendment to National Constitution Tue sugges
| ton. for universal cOmmOnschool education were
adopted by President Grant IN his centennial messae
dated December :. 1873 In september, l-77 Mr. Haw
kins delivered address before the American SoclA
science Association at Saratoga, entitled Education the
Need OF the south" ,, :,
MIR Hawkins was constantly interested in municipal
afars In June, 1871, he published a report on the
! "Extrayagances OF the Tammany King showing
secret addition in twentyeight months OF over nlly
millions 10 the city debt. During tie adjustment OF the
faise claims incurred by the Tweed klht
MIR Hawkins spent several mouths at Albany
! 10 represent the city, and exposed many OF lht
fraudulent charges for advertising brought by paper
hribed by the ring In 1873 he made report on the
"Douaton OF Public Property 10 Private Corporatloh,
and the Illegal Exemption Of the same from axes,
showing that ten millions of puohc money had Deen
gwen to street and five millions they wer.
not taxed 1873 mis- Traditions Of overlook MI.
wa. published In 1875 delivered All ad ress before
syracuse University on The ADgo-saxon Race ah
In January, 1850. he prepared a pamphlet on ~
Roman Catholic Church NewYork City and the fa9.
II. Land and Money" Aside from these laDors MI
Hawkins carried n a large legal practice -, 49,.
Mr. Hawkins associated IN business with OOio"e
Ru.h C. Hawkins; his son, Eugene ID. Hawslhs, y
now member the hrm having its ornces AT No IL
broadway IN the Trinity Building He had also DeeI
member OF the Union League Club since It's organiL"