Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-07-24
Was Uncle Of John N. Griggs

Last weeks issue of the Montezuma
Republican contained the following
concerning an uncle of John NJ. Griggs
of this city who was well known TO a
number of Audubon county people who
formerly lived in Poweshiek county:
William b. Hawkins is dead II
doesn't hardly seem possible Only
few days ago we sat out in the park
| and talked about various things. He
was an odd character. We had learned
to love the man. He had mind, Ike q
steel trap. His memory of past events
was perfect and he had wonderful
knowledge of things of today He had
way and all his own of expressing
common every day thoughts. If we
wanted good hearty laugh, all we had
to do was to hunt up Mr.. Hawkins and
get him to tell about things that have
happened. 1t was only few days ago
he invited us to go fishing He wanted
the Republican family to have a mess
of fish. | believe that was the last
time he was out anywhere. He caught
severe cold on that day and it de-
veloped into serious illness. Each
winter he has been going south to
spend few months in the warmer
climate. He avoided the cold weather
of the north. Mr.. Hawkins was well
posted in Masonry. Often he would
repeat Masonry and he never forgot
an obligation or pass word or a single
line. He told us how he used to at
tend lodge away back forty or fifty
years ago think he told us he was
treasurer of the lodge. When Alex
Miller was here few weeks ago we
introduced him to Mr.. Hawkins and he
related to Mr.. Miller many of his
various experiences. Afterwards Mr.
Miller remarked that he wished he
could sit down and talk TO him for a
day. Such was the character of Mr..
Hawkins. He was not a religious
man. He despised can't and hypocracy.
If he did not like you, he was not slow
in telling you.
Mr.. Hawkins was nearly eighty nine
years old. He was strong and healthy
for his age-never used glasses to read
He came here when there was no town
and Indians were numerous in this
section. He could have bought the
lot where the First National Bank
stands for fifteen dollars, but he re-
marked to the writer that If it had
been only thirty cents he could not
have purchased the lot. What a pity
that record was not kept of the many
incidents in which he played such a
strong part for the benefit of future
generations. fully intended to get
many of his characteristic sayings on
paper before this bright light had
winked out.
William Hawkins was a man who
had accumulated much wealth. He
was generous to his children. Only
a few years ago ne called them to-
gether and made fair, equitable
division Of part of his land.
| Mr.. Hawkins was born in Kentucky
May 9, 1925, and at the age of eleven
years removed with his parents to In
diana, where he attended school,
After obtaining his education he en-
gagged in, farming. At the outbreak
of the Mexican war, he enlisted in
Company /, First regiment of Indi-
ana Volunteers, and was promoted to
the rank of lieutenant-colonel He
remained in the service one year,
when he was honorably discharged.
j He returned TO Indiana and resumed
farming, and in the fall of lS48, he
came to this county, being the first
one to enter land in jackson town
ship. In 1850 he crossed the plains
to California when the news of tn,
discovery of gold came, but after {
time he returned TO Montezuma an(
has since resided in this vicinity.
May 5, 1850, he was married to Mis-
Amy Agler. He is survived by tire,
children, George w the present mayo
of Montezuma; Fred, of Chicago; anC
Mrs Lee Bursetr, of Albion.