Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-02
FOUGHT IN TWO WARS.
Col. Hawkins Served With Honor
in the siAttcs-His Political
Career,

WASHINGTON. Pa. August 2.-Colonel Alex
ander L. Hrwkins was born ON Sep
tember g. iS4} His early days were
spent on his fathers farm on the border
line of Washington and Greene counties.
He was soldier by inheritance. He
comes of fighting stock, belonging to the
fourth generation of Il fighting family.
Robert Hawkins. the pioneer of the
family in America. came 10 this country
from England in 1Il5. He was an indus
trious, hard working man. and patriot
of the truest type. He lived almost
century in the country which he had
adopted for his home during the most
critical period of its history. During the
war for independence he gave over e2,O00
for the support of American arms. He
sent three sons into the service. one of
whom died in the memorable camp at
Valley Forge.
The father of Col. Hawkins. James
Hawkins was farmer and a carder of
WOOL broadminded and industrious
man. who taught the lessons of thrift and
frugality to his children. Alex. L. was
the fourth child, and was surrounded by
the best influences of a Christian home
and community. After receiving liberal
education at the public schools he at
tended Georges Creek academy, where
he prepared himself for college.
He was student at Waynesburg col
icgc for some time. and afterwards taught
school. He was about to resume his col
ieeiate studies when President Lincoln is
sued call for volunteers.
In the Civil War.
Hawkins began his career as a soldier
as Il member of Company X, Fifteenth
Pennsylvania cavalry, August CO. 1862.
Company X was diStinctively Il Greene
county orasaniZa tion, composed mostly of
farmer boys, hardy types of the best citi-
zan soldiers His regiment took part
against the raiders of Chambersburg and
in the battle of Antietam.
Hawkins was made a corporal on May
I2 1St3. and filled the various grades of
non-commissioned officer until October
a. 1854 when he was made lieutenant, and
IN the following spring was given com
mission rs captain of United States col
bred troops.
His superior officers recognized in him
an officer ana warrior of great ability:
He WAS acting lieutenant in the winter OF
10 when tine regiment was lying in the
barracks nj Nashville. AS captain of
Untc'l States coiored troops he fought
under Gen. Thomas. and did valiant serv-
ice in the battle of Nashville.
capt. Hawkins remained in the service
until some time after the war, on the
star of Mai. Gen. Clinton 3. Fiske. He
was mustered out January 81 1865.
After returning from the war he en-
tered the drug business in Pittsburgh in
the fall of &C, remaining there for two
years. when he sold his store and moved
Oh a farm in East Bethlehem township.
Washington county. This farm is the
bid HsrElns homestead. the origlnai
tract Which came into the Hawkins fam
ily llIg on letters patent ~
Thomas Hawkins by the commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
Active in Politics.
After moving to Washington county he
took an active part in the Republican
politics of Washington county and was
oD. of its most ardent workers after the
close of the war. He served chairman
OF the Republican committee i'll 1919. ana
on IA number of occasions since In the
fall of 10 he was elected treasurer of the
county by a large majority.
1t was during his term in this office
that he began his career with the Tenth
PENNSYLVANIA regiment of the national
guard with whici, he has been identified
ever since and which is recognized as one
of the best state ORGANIZATIONS in the
country Company H. the local COM
pany of the Tenth, was in 1872 in some
was danger of it's being disorganized. BY
the advice of s. l.. Wilson, the first cap
tain of the company. but at this time
senior ma or of the regiment A. l.. llaw-
kins was chosen commander of the COM
pany He received his commission Janu-
arv / 1871 He saved the disarmament of
the company and proved the right man
for the place and built mp a strong organ
Ization
Shortly after this the company was
called out to quell the Pittsburgh riot.
The company went overland to Greens
burg and at this time Hawkins showed
himself a skllful and efficient officer and
a valuable acquisition to the Pennsylva-
MIA guard.
The Senior Colonel.
On February 27, 1879, he was elected
colonel of the regiment to succeed Col.