Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-04
MAJ.C.W.HAWES
PIONEER OF ROCK
ISLAND is CALLED
Former Head Clerk of Modern Wood
men Passes Away At His Residence
on Eighteenth Avenue.
BEEN FAILING SEVERAL YEARS
One Of the oldest Native Born Resi-
dents. Veteran OF Civil War and
Leader in Community.

Major Charles Wesley Halves, for
roer head clerk of the Modern Wood
men Ne America. one of the Oldest ma
rive born citizen of Rock Island and
who had seen the city grow from a
middle Of primitive buildings to a mod
ern city. died at 10:45 this morning at
his residence, 29OO Eighteenth avenue.
The end came after q long - period of
decline during the latter part of which
he had been confined to his bed.
Major Halves was born in Rock Is
land March :, 1S41, the son of David
and Julia NJ Halves, who were ma
tives Of Massachusetts. His father pi-
oneered his way in 1886 TO the then
western wilderness and located in the
old town Of Stephenson, the successor
If the village Of Farnamsburg on the
banks Of the Mississippi, where later
in 1871, the city of Rock Island was in
corporated. In those days the AIissis-
sjppi marked the western boundary of
civilized life and it was to these pi-
oneer surroundings that Major Halves
was introduced at birth.
AT the time of his passing he was the
oldest surviving native white child of
Rock Island county and had, therefore,
probably been permitted TO witness
more ana greater changes in the
growth and development of the com
munity than almost any of his con-
tenpoTaries.
Family Was Prominent.
From their first settlement in the
spot now marked by the thriving and
prosperous tri-cities, Major Halves
family have been prominent in the
commercial and civil life of western
Illinois His father, David Halves, was
q continuous resident of Rock Island
from 1886 TO the time of his death in
April, 1900. He had been affiliated
with the wing party until 1856, when
he became a republican, remaining a
staunCh adherent OF that party until
the day OF his death. He was an alder
man Of this city for two terms, served
as sheriff Of Rock Island county from
1850 to 1862 later as coroner for y
successive years. and for the last Is
years OF his life as justice Of the peace.
In addition 10 these public services, he
was an hOnOred deacon of the First
Baptist church for over half a century
and died at the ripe age of so years.
Major HAYES early childhood was
passed amid the exciting scenes and
Incidents common to pioneer life. How
ever, / was his boast that he had had
the good fortune TO be reared under the
careful discipline and supervision of
Christian parents, so that his tastes
and ideals were steadfastly Influenced
along the right channels, giving a sta
bLIty and upTightness of character
that distinguished him in all his later
dealings. He was educated in the
Rock Island public schools and at
Harsha academy, Dixon, Ill During
the summer months he spent his time
IL gardening and other work on his ia
Tiers home place of % acres and after
leaving school, continued in his ia
Tiers employ for time, superintend-
ing the teaming in connection with the
latters varied industries
EnIists in Civil War.
IN 1860 and 1861 he served under his
father as deputy sheriff Of Rock Island
county, but when the Civil war broke,
he felt q higher duty calling him,
therefore enlisted July 20, 1861, as
member of Company a of the 34th Iii
nOis infantry volunteers He was
elected first sergeant OF that company,
which was originally recruited at ROCK
Island, and afterwards, when it was
mustered in as d part Of the 37th iii
nOis. he was commissioned second lieu
tenant. the date Of this commission be-
!ug Aug. 10, 1861. He was promoted
to the Office of first lieutenant Dec. 10,
1861. and commissioned as captain
July 20. 1852 He served with this
command as one Of the units OF the
army Of the frontier, later known as
the 18th army corps, and showed dis
tirguished bravery in the battles OF
Pea Ridge. Prairie Grove, the siege OF
Ficksburg. Cape Girardeau, and in all
the minor affairs, as well, in which
his company was engaged on Sept.
20, 1863. he was transferred by promo
ton to the rank and duties of major
OF the 92ud United States cavalry, aid
ing in the recruiting Of that regiment
at New Orleans. and afterwards serV-
ing with il throughout the entire Red
River campaign, participating IN the
battles of Yellow Bayou, Morganzle
Bend and Bayou Teche.
While IN charge of this command he
was. By general orders, detailed for
special service with instructions to re
port 10 the provost marshal at Grand
de Core, by whom he was placed IN
charge of the steamer Ohio Belle and
furnished with q guard detailed from
the command at that point, with IN
structiOns TO turn over to the provost
marshal at New Orleans several hun
dred confederate prisoners delivered
into his keeping These instructions
were fully complied with but were at
tended by exciting and interesting ex-
perieuces, including d mutiny among
the prisoners, which, however, was
successfully quelled and the fOmenters