The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-05-05
EX-GOv, HAW- d
: KINS DEAD.
WAS A NATIVE S OF KEN
TUCKY BUT FORMERLY
LIVED IN MAURY
COUNTY,.
WAS TENNESSEE'S EX-
ECUTlVE IN 1902.

HUNTINGDON. Tenn. Auril ~. -
AT : clock this morning ex-Gov.
Alvin Hakwins died at the home OF
his son, Ernest Hawkins in tins city.
His death was rather sudden, and was
a great shock to the people of the
town. o1
Gov, Hawkins suffered from severe
attack of pneumonia last winter. and
several times his life was despaiIed Of,
but he finally recovered from the at
tack and hade fair TO live for many
years more. He appeared to be enjoy.
| ing good health ard in very cheerful
mosd. Only the first of this week he
was on the streets mingling with his
friends, and was able to get about
alone with the use of his stick. On
Wednesday night. however, he was
taken suddenly i'll. and rapidly grew
worse, and this morning his life went
out.
For many years he has been famiI-
lar figure on the streets of Huntington.
and his lettering footsteps and cheer
full disposition will be greatly missed
| by all who knew him so we'll
| Gov. Hawkins had not engaged IN the
practice of his chosen profession, law,
since the death of his wife a few years
ago. He has spent his time working In
his graden. fishing and enjoying other
outdoor sports when tine weather
would permit.
The funeral services will ne conduct
ed at the NJ +. Church Friday, of
which church Gov. Hawkins has been
lifelong member. and In which he
has held many important positions.
The funeral will be conducted by DR..
J. NJ. Carter, assisted by otneI pastors
of the town, and the interment will
follow at the Hawkins Cemetery.
Hon. Alvin Hawkins, ex- Governor of
tennessee, like his two immediate
pIede cessors, was native of Ken
lucky MI. Hawkins was born in
Bath County. of that State, Dec. 2,
1921 His father, John M. Hawkins,
was the descendant of an ancient En-.
glish family, and quite nu nber of mis-
ances tors were prominent in English
history, His mother was Polly @
Ralston, whose mother was Nicely
family prominent in Indiana and
other Western states.
Alvin Hawkins was the eldest of
hlIteen sons, eleven of whom reached
man s estate. All of them have held
important public positions. When
Mr.. Hawkins was about 6 years of age
he. with his parents, moved TO Maury
County, Tenn. and there remained
two years. The family then came
to Carroll County. where the father
died in 1852, greatly respected.
The Doyhood of Mr. Hawkins was
spent assisting his father In the gun
shop and attending the country schools
although his mother was his principal
Rt1nk. hnp Vofn in lac h.
engaged In farm labor, and at the aga
of 10 became student at McLemores-
vile academy When 90 years of age
Mr. Hawkins entered he law Office of
Hon. BENJAMIN G. Totten and studied
under his direction. One year later
he was admitted to the bar and became
a partner in law practice with Isaac
r. Hawkins, and soon gained piomrn-
nee in the legal profession. He had
for his colleagues such men, as
Pavatt. Allen and James, of Hunting
don; Isaac Williams and the HARNESSES.
of Paris; K. P. Raines, of Trenton;
McCoIry and the Browns, of jackson,
and others.
In politics he was formerly a Wing.
but later Republican. In 1916 he
made the race for the Legislature
from Benton and Humphreys coun-
ties, but was defeated. In 1S47 he was
married to Miss Justina M. OFT, of
MuIfIeeshorO, Tenn, by whom he bad
seven children, but only two are now
living, Ernest and Alonzo, both citi-
zens of this place.
In 1853 he was elected to the Legis-
lature, but be de declined reelection
and continued his law practice until
1850, when be was elected Presidential
elector on the Bell and Everett ticket
for his district In 1864 he was APP
dolnted by one of the Justices of the
Supreme Court to the office of District
Attorney for West Tennessee, and was
reappointed 10 1865 by President John
son. To September of the same year,h
resigned and was appointed to posi-
ton on Supreme bench of Tennessee,
but resigned in 1868 and retired to pri-
vate life. President johnson appointed
him Consul Ger eisI of the United
States at Havana. but he soon resigned
and in 1869 he was elected Judge of the
Supreme Court of Tennessee.
He joined the Methodist Episcopal
Church in 1875. and has held some inn
portant osition In that church.
In 1880 be was elected Governor of
Tennessee on the Republican ticket and
was candidate Tor reelection 10 1882,
but was defeated by Gen VIM. B. Bate
He made good Governor and Judge,
and as lawyer be was one of the most
prominent 10 Tennessee He was cleo
ted to Congress about the breaking out
Of the Civil War, but owing to the fact
that Tennessee bad seeded from the
Union was not allowed to take his seat.
Mash vitIa A uapicau