Hawkins, Andrew J.

HAWKINS, BATES

Posted By: Daniel K. Higginbottom (email)
Date: 11/14/2014 at 14:37:54

HAWKINS, A. J.-Farmer, section 6 (Madison Twp.), P. O. Swede Point. Was born at Constantine, Michigan, in 1831, and while an infant removed with his parents to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he resided until about ten years of age. His father having died, he, with his brothers, was bound out to learn a trade, and worked on a farm until twenty-one years of age. His educational advantages were limited, having attended school but a few weeks. In May, 1851, he visited this county, returned to Indiana and remained until 1852, and one year later came again to this county, but only stayed a short time. He went back to Elkhart and worked as fireman on the Air Line Railroad, and in 1854 came here, remaining until April, 1855, when he started across the plains to California, arriving in El Dorado county in August of that year. For about a year he was engaged in working in the El
Dorado saw mill, and then went to mining which he continued for some time. He worked on a ranch, herding sheep, and also engaged in the dairy business. He worked on a ranch near Marysville, on Bear river, and thence to Frazier river, in the British Pass, to prospect for gold, but his provisions giving out he was obliged to return, but after three months went again to El Dorado county, California. He worked on an emigrant road a short time, blasting rock, thence to Sinsin Valley, and after a short time went to San Fransisco, where he embarked on the steamer Golden Gate for Panama, crossed the Isthmus and took steamer for New York, arrived in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1858. In March, 1859, he came to this county and purchased the land on which he now resides. In December, 1859, was married to Emily Bates, of Elkhart county, Indiana. In July, 1861, Mr. Hawkins enlisted as a private in company A, Tenth Iowa infantry volunteers. Was wounded at the battle of Champion's Hill, May 16, 1863, by a ball passing near the base of the brain. Served three years and three months and was discharged September 24, 1864, returning home. He engaged in farming until May, 1870, when he sold out and started for Kansas. He got as far as Hamburg, this State, when he changed his mind and went up the Missouri river a short distance above Yankton, Dakota, but not liking the country he came back to this county in August, and bought his present farm. They have three children living all of whom were born in this township: Mary Isabell, William L. and Frank O. Lost one, Eliza Alice (who died October 16, 1875).

Source: "The History of Polk County, Iowa," p. 1029. Des Moines, Union Historical Company, 1880.