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Des Moines County >> 1915 Index History of
Des Moines County, Iowa... H Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. A. L. and ELLA J. HAWKSWORTH are the owners of the Arts-Crafts Shop of Burlington. The former was born in this city, June 24, 1874, a son of Lionel and Margaret (Bowser) Hawksworth, natives of England and of Pennsylvania respectively. The father was born in 1832 and when a young man came to the United States. He made the journey westward to Burlington by water and after taking up his abode in this city was employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company until he retired from active business several years ago. He and his wife occupy their home at 2003 Madison avenue. In the family were five children, two sons and three daughters, who are yet living. A. L. Hawksworth acquired a public-school education, supplementing the work of the grades by two years' study in the high school. When he was about sixteen years of age he put aside his text-books and began working for his brother, who was engaged in the confectionery business. He spent a year in that connection, after which he entered the employ of the Granite Brick Company of Cascade, Iowa, with which he remained for eight years. At the end of that time he became connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in the bridge department and was employed in that way until he opened his present business in connection with his sister, Ella J. Hawksworth, who has charge of the art department. She was born in Burlington, August 30, 1867, and was educated in the schools of this city. She took up the study of art and afterward pursued a special art course in china painting in Chicago. She taught china painting in the Institute College here and is known as an expert, especially in this line of work, displaying marked talent. The brother and sister opened their store in October, 1907, beginning first in a small way, Miss Hawksworth teaching an art class while her brother handled the business. They carry artists' materials and various kinds of arts and crafts work and now have an extensive stock. They also sell fancy are goods and do picture-framing. Miss Hawksworth gives instruction in that line as well as in painting and other branches of art and she has a large class, while her work is known not only throughout Iowa but throughout the middle west. Theirs is one of the attractive establishments of the city and a visit thereto is a pleasure to all who are interested in fine art work, including anything which comes under the name of arts and crafts work. Miss Hawksworth is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Hawksworth is independent, voting for the men and measures he thinks most likely to subserve the best interests of all the people. |