The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-03-16
3Si, 1876 and 38S River Street,
l3. IL, II and ~ Fourth Street,

He married, May I'd, 1881, Miss Eliza
Hall Colvin. daughter of David Colvin, to
whom was born one son. Alfred w.
Hawks, who survives him, aud has lived
for several years in Topeka, Kan. Dur
ing the past year he has been called to part
first with his wife, then with his mother
and now with his father, a daughter be-
ing left him. Deceased with his wife
were among the members at the organi-
zatiOn of the present Baptist church. In
1874 he being elected clerk, which office
he filled to the time of his death lacking
but few months of half century. A
few hours before his death, WHEN the
writer did not look for it, perhaps for
months, he expressed a desire to live to
witness the semi-centennial OF the church
in June next, and said he was trying to
bridge over March, which is unusually a
hard month for inYalids.
He was in the mercantile trade for
about thirty-fiYe years, during which
time he was interested for while i'll the
manufacture of cotton batting, and at
another time for years in the making of
steel squares and the sale of them
throughout the country. The old way
of purchasing goods by going to market,
New York or Boston twice year, was
in vogue, there being no travelling sales
men at the time, and for thirty years he
made most of these semi-annual visits,
purchasing stocks for the firms of which
he was partner, Hawks and Lathrop,
Hawks and Loomis, Hawks & company,
to their entire satisfaction. Being a
good merchant, OF taste and care
in selections, he brought joy
to the extensive line of customers, as be-
fore railroad communication with Troy,
his store would be visited at such times
for the latest and richest styles of dress
and other goods.
He was fond OF military life, serving
for years as captain in the State militia,
and being an expert rider, was often
called to commad in the capacity of
marshal, on public occasions, as at the
hanging of Archibald Bates, February
9th, 1880, he was in command of the
large procession, the execution being in
the vicinity of the Battle Monument.
He was for many years justice of the
peace, and also filled with credit, other
offices of the town and village, and be-
fore the custom to have the undertaken,
as now, take charge of funerals, he, for
many years, was called upon to manage
such ceremonies, which he did with
great satisfaction to the friends. His
deep interest in the work of the church,
and liberality in sustaining it by effort
| and means. was marked, and the poor or
suffering ever had his sympathy, and
| from their needs his kind and benevo-
| lent heart never turned away saying
merely: "Be ye warmed and filled" AT
his golden wedding, which was celebrat-
ed May 2nd, 1887, in the church, to ac-
cOmmodate the large number of friends,
he, with his wife, were both in the sew
enty-sixth year of their age, and the
evening was joyously passed with a
bountiful collation., congratulations,
speech making and the reading of let.
ters expressing love and good wishes.
The influence for good by his long life in
| this community cannot be computed,
and his loss will be deeply felt, although
| he has been out of active life, compare
lively, for several years. Since the death
of Mrs. Hawks, last October, his grand.
daughter, Miss Susie, has been his con
slant companion, and has cared for him
devotedly, and her attention to his every
want. his eyesight and hearing being
somewhat impaired, all have been I'm
pressed with her faithfulness.
The funeral was NJ the church, Sunday
morning last, at IL o'clock, his pastor,
the Rev. r. B. Tozer, officiating, assisted
by the Revs Edward Conover and C. II.
Peck. The church was filed, and the
remarks of the clergymen in commencing
his character as a citizen, and their ap-
probation of his many Christian virtues,
found a ready response in the minds OF
the large audience.
The singing was by the choir of the
church, which rendered among other
hymns, "Asleep in Jesus" which seemed
peculiarly appropriate. The bearers were
Henry S. Walbridge, j. o. Bangs, S. E.
Ranney, II. D. Hall, G. E. Yelling and
Isaac Surdam, all under the direction OF
j. Ed. Walbridge, undertaken.
The son and granddaughter desire tC
thank those who have been so kind and
helpful in their ministrations during the