River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-09-25
A CAPABLE OFFICIAL.

neighbors across the way in st. Croix
county appear to appreciate the servi-
ces of 5. n. Hawkins as district attor-
ney of that county. 1t will be remeIn.
bered that Stephen was a student at
the Old Academy here in the years
1854, and was unanimously chosen
by his teacher and schoolmates to de-
liver the farewell address in behalf
of the students at the close of the
academic year. After filling various
local offices in New Richmond where
he settled, such as school director.
town clerk, chairman, village attor-
ney, supervisor on the county board
city attorney and other positions, he
was selected by the Republicans as
their candidate for District Attorney
in 1888, and after enc of the hardest
fought political battles that was ever
held in that county, he was elected
over the combined forces of the Demo-
cratic and Prohibition parties in the
face of fierce opposition and personal
and determined canvass. Now that
his term of office is drawing to close
there seems to be universal demand
for his denomination, even from the
parties who opposed his election two
years ago.
we are happy to note the success of
any vi The boys who received their
early education in our midst, and this
is our only excuse for reproducing
some items from our exchanges in st.
Croix county;
The efficient service rendered by District AT.
torney Hawkins during hIs term of office now
drawing 10 close has won him the friendship
OF many OF the ProhibitionisIs throughout the
county. In fact we have very little Criticism
upon the work he has been doing in the dis.
charge OF his Official duties. III he has ever
failed TO prosecute vigorously yiolators of tbe
law wherever just cause Tor such action ap-
peared, we have not heard of it. One thing il
certain; he has brought good many rOgues u
Justice, aAd temperance people have no cause
Tor complaint that he has not done his duty in
prosecuting parties " no have been charged with
being guilty OF the illegal sale OF LIQUOR So fal
rs We can learn, he has shown no partiality il
the matter. We are also eredibly informed thai
IN number OF cases he has ELECTED recoucil ia.
uoh pStWeeh nelShDOIs, saving considerable
expense TO the county. The den of iniquity
near saltwater, and that other infamous dive
Just out OF Hudson, have been effectually closed
up by him and their inmates punished These
places have done thriving business in wears
past, and that they are now wiped out is we
believe, largely due TO Mr.. Hawkins vigorous
service IL Is not strange then that there is some
prospect OF his being nominated BY the Prohi.
bliOnists as well as the Republicans for another
term. IL Is our opinion, gathered IRON CONVEX
satiOn with temperance men from different pa ri,
VII ha
mated for District Attorney again, he would get
many votes which were cast against him two
years ago-Hsw Richmond Voice, Prohibition
paper.
The Republican County Convention is called
for its biennial gathering at the county seat
Oct. z $780, Tor the purpose OF electing delegate,
70 the senatorial Convention, which will Assem-
BILE at Hudson on the following day to nominate
candidates Tor the various county offices and !
member OF the legislature, and the recommended
ton OF candidates and the discussion of theil
illness for the position sought, is both timely
and proper. 1T skilliul management of an OH.
cial trust, a zeal which admits no superior and
an ambition 10 serve his state and county-state
ia the enforcement OF its laws requiring peace
and good order ami the punishment OF offend.
ers; the county, IN important c0unsels, and in
keeping the expenses OF criminal actions at the
lowest ng ures anu the various town officials on
multiplicity OF complex aud debatable ques
tions; II sucn services are to be appreciated and
rewarded, we would recommend ,. n. Haw kins
our present ertclent and accommodating bis
trict Attorney, Tor denomination and reelection
by hearty votes and Tousing majority. lie is
all that the office requires; studous and persist.
ent III research; unLIring in pursuit of an end
and with him "a game Is never out until it,
played out"
In arriving at his present standing, official and
professional, he has had TO labor against the
odds OF pinehlng poverty la his younger DAYS
As a student he never recited his lessons be
meath college dome, and what he is and has
nave Deeh hiahluily obtalhed through the efforts
OF his own head and hands. The common OF
district schools GOOD bless them) were his only
resource and the Office his college and vet ST.
CroiX county can boast OF producing few better
minds or more eloquent speakers.
In connection with the above paragraph q
brief sketch OF his carly life may be of interest
to our younger readers, at least. lie was born
in Galway, ireland, ami came to this country
with his parents in infancy; lived in Meriden
New Haven county, Connecticut, until six years
oil age; moved TO Dane county, Misconsin,in 1882
In 1880 came TO st. Croix county, aud endured
with the sparse population the fifties, the
hard times which followed, laboring early and
late and between times TO enable him TO attend
even the Tree public schools, crude as the coun-
thy. Ia this, MIR. Hawkins has our kindest re-
membranes, Tor we were here at the time and
know whereof we speak. As the years went by,
he Finished, 20 to speak, his education in the
old academy (sinee burned DOWN at River
Falls.
At the age of IA he enlisted for the 18th Wis.
Infantry, but was rejected on account of his
youth, not being able To get his fathers consent.
Enlisted again near close OF the war and served
until hOnOrably mustered out. By teaching
Iowa, with rigid economy, he was enabled to
study both medicine and law in Dubuque, Iowa.
lie also studied medicine with that sturdy vet
eran, Dr. Otis Hoyt, in Hudson.
lie was i'll the mercantile business in this city
from 1872 10 1876. During the latter years he
was admitted 10 the legal oar of this county; to
the supreme Court OF Wisconsin in 1854; to the
United states Federal Court in 1887, and To
practice before the department of the Interior
IN 1856
AIR. Hawkins has held many offices here. He
was school director Tor three years; town clerk
three years; chairman one year, and was the
first supervisor OF our village; village attorney
Tor two years, city attorney Two years. aud was
elected district attorney OF this county TWO years
ago, against one OF the most popular Democrats
ia the state. reinforced, as the opposition was,
by the Prohibition party, ana in The face OF a
fierce anG CALLING nre from the enemy, and is
filling the position TO the satisfaction of all As
a private citizen he has done much TO build up
aud advance our town, i'll erecting houses ana
donating his Time and money in various ways.
Few men of his age can show more varied
experience in this county than he,-all tine way
from a wood chopper, which occupation he
followed TO enable MIN to buy books when u
student, up TO teacher in the ola Military Aeade-
my in HUDSON, ana TO his present position he
has performed his tasks well AS they came to his
hands, and we bespeak for him denomination
by reclamation, with three cheers and la Tiger"