Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-08-25
PROMINENT MAN CALLED
HON. ]. H. HAWLEY, OF MON
MOUTH ANSWERS SUMMONS.
Death Comes Unexpectedly After But
Brief IIlness-Age Was 70
Years.

Hon. J. H. Hawley, pioneer of Ore
gon, and one of the most noted fig.
ures in the industrial, social and po
litical development of Polk county
from its inception to the present time
passed away suddenly at his home in
Monmouth, Thursday morning at z
o'clock, aged rs years. His death
was unexpected and followed but g
few days illness. He contracted q
slight cold last Friday, but nothing
was thought of it at the time, and
Sunday he was out visiting friends
and was apparently in good health
The cause of death, as diagnosed by
DIR. Beauchamp, the attending physi'
clan, was broncho-pneumonia, togeth-
er with old age.
His son, Senator c. L. Hawley, OF
Mccoy; his daughter, Mrs. Beau
champ, of Stayton; his wife, and his
son-in-law, DR.. Beauchamp, were
present when the end came. Mrs
B. F. Mulkey, of Jacksonville, his
other daughter, arrived yesterday
forenoon. William H. Hawley, the
eldest son, who is engaged in farming
at Hobson, Montana, and Luke M
Hawley, a prominent merchant al
Billings, Montana, were unable tC
come.
Funeral Today.
The funeral will be held in the
Church of Christ at Monmouth this
morning at IL o'clock, and the burial
will be at the Bethel cemetery at
o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. Hawley was active in every
thing that pertained to the advance
ment Of the general good, and was
revered for his qualities of heart and
mind. He was one of the strongest
supporters and most ardent advocates
of the Normal school at Monmouth,
and much of its success in former
years has been due to him. Its re-
opening, which is to occur the coming
month, was possible largely by reason
of his unfaltering assistance. In his
death the school loses one of its ablest
partisans.
He was an Indian war veteran and
a member of the Pioneer Association
of Polk county. He was the first
president of the organization, and
served in that capacity for about 20
years. His last public appearance in
Dallas was made as president of the
day at the Pioneer picnic held here
last June.
Came Across Plains.
John Henry Hawley was born in
London, Canada, March 10, 1895, and
at the age often years removed to
Oregon with his parents, coming by
OK team across the plains. The fam
lily settled in Oregon City in 1874, and
later his father took up donation
land claim three miles east of Nc
Minnville. AT the age of q he took a
two-years course in the Bethel Acad-
emy, and having qualified as teach
er, he taught school in both Polk and
Yamhill counties. In 1861 he went to
the mines in Idaho. Returning to this
county, he embarked in the mercan-
tile business at Bethel. He purchased
400 acres of land near there, upon
which he began to farm in 1875. Be
ginning with 1892, he spent year in
Salem, and later removed to Mon
mouth, where he invested in the stock
of the Polk County Bank, of which
he has since been president. Much
of The success of the bank, it is said
was due to the financial acumen OF
Mr.. Hawley. Up to the time of his
death he continued to be interested in
his farm, where he made specially
of high grade stock.
In 1858 Mr.. Hawley was married tC
Eliza Mulkey, of Corvallis, a native
of Missouri and pioneer of lS47. Sew
en- children were born to Mr.. and Mrs
Hawley, of whom two are deceased
Ever since attaining his majority
Mr.. Hawley took a keen interest IL
local and general politics and has al
lied himself with the republican par
ty. He has filled many positions oi
trust in the community. He was {
Justice of the peace at Bethel, haC
been Mayor of Monmouth severa
terms, and during the session of 188.
he was a member of the state legisla
ture from Polk county.
He was a member and church Off
Ger in the Church of Christ, and tool
a leading part in religious affairs.