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

WAsHiNqToN Pa, August 2.-Colonel Alex
ander l.. Hawbins was born Sep
tember g. IS4i. His early days were
spent on his fathers farm on the border
line of Washington and Greene counties.
He was Il soldier by inheritance. He
comes OF fighting stock, belonging to the
fourth generation of lighting family.
Robert Hawkins, the pioneer of the
family in America. came TO this country
from England in Ills. He was an indus
trious, hard-working man, and patriot
of the truest type. He lived almost a
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 g., 600
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 carder of
wool, broad-minded and Industrious
frugality to his children. Alex. L. was
the fourth child, and was surrounded by
the best influences of Christian home
and community. After receiving liberal
education nj the public schools he at
tended Georges Creek academy. where
he prepared himself for college.
He was Il student at WayneSburg col
icgc for some time. and afterwards taught
school. He was about to resume his col
leeiate studies when President Lincoln is
sued call for volunteers.
In the Civil War.
Hawkins began his career as a soldier
as ii member of Company *, Fifteenth
Pennsylvania cavalry, August 80, 1852
Company X was distinctively Greene
county organization, composed mostly of
farmer boys. hardy types of the best citi-
zen soldiers. His regiment took part
against the raiders of Chambersburg and
in the battle of Antietam-
Hawkins was made Il corporal on May
I2 1St:;. and filed the various grades of
non-commissioned officer until October
a, 1864. when he was made lieutenant, and
IN tie following spring was given com
mission rs captain of United States col
bred troops.
His superior officers recognized in him
an officer and warrior of great ability.
He WIS acting lieutenant in the winter of
20 when tine regiment was lying in the
barracks at Nashville. As captain of
United 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
staff of Maj.-Gen. Clinton B. Fiske. He
was mustered out January q, 1865.
After returning from the war he en-
tered the drug business in Pittsburgh in
the fall of &c remaining there for two
Oh a farm in East Bethlehem township,
Washington county. This farm is the
bid Hawkins homestead. the origina,
tract Which came into the Hawkins fam
llN III liiZ. on "
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
one of its most ardent workers after the
close of the war. He served chairman
OF the Republican committee i'll 1910. ana
on 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 which he has been identified
ever since and which is recognized as one
OF the best state ORGANIZATIONS in the
country. Company II, the local COM
pany of the Tenth, was in 1872 in q some
what demoralized condition and there
was danger of its being disorganized. BY
the advice of s. l.. Wilson, the first cap
tain OF the company. but AT this time
senior ma ior OF the regiment, A. l.. llaw-
kins was chosen commander of the COM
pany He received his commission Janu-
3ry /. 1871 He saved the disarmament of
the company and proved the right mau
for the place and built mp 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 slIillful and efficient officer and
a valuable acquisition to the Pennsylva-
MIA guard.
The Senior Colonel.
On February q, 1879, he was elected
colonel of the regiment to succeed Col.