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 LIVER D. HAWKINS, a prominent member
of the agricultural community of Ashmore
Township, owns and occupies a fine homestead on section 36. of which he has been in possession since the spring of 1873. He came to this
county when a youth nineteen years of age, with
his parents, and for a period of forty-six years has
been closely identified with its progress and advancement. The essential points of his history are as follows: The Hawkins family is of excellent origin, being of Irish and German on the paternal and Scotch and Welsh on the maternal side. The first representatives of the family in this country settled in the Southern and Middle States. Oliver D. was born in Fleming County, Ky., Feb. 28, 1822, and is the son of Gregory and Elizabeth (Ballar) Hawkins, natives respectively of Maryland and Kentucky. Gregory Hawkins was born May 10, 1789, and died in this county, Nov. 9, 1869. He came here with his family in the spring of 1841, and locating on section 33, range 10 east, in Ashmore Township, engaged in farming until his earthly labors ended. The wife and mother was born Jan. 17, 1793, and survived her husband but four years, dying at the homestead in Charleston Township, May 12, 1873. The parents were married in Kentucky on the 8th of June, 1809, the ceremony taking place near the home of the bride under a large sugar-maple tree. They lived harmoniously during the many years they were permitted to pass together and were buried side by side in Ashmore Cemetery. The father of our subject was a man of more than ordinary ability and at one time possessed a large property, which was lost on account of his going security for friends. He possessed extreme kindness of heart, was remarkably indulgent and affectionate in his family and beloved by all who knew him. He was very strong, physically, and of fine personal appearance, being five feet nine inches in height, and weighing 180 pounds. He was prominent in the local affairs of his native county in Kentucky, serving as Sheriff and being otherwise identified with its public interests. The mother was a lady of attractive personal appearance, possessing dark hair and eyes, and of good stature and weighed 150 pounds. They became the parents of fifteen children, viz., Harvey H., born April 15, 1810; Ashel J., Oct. 9, 1811; George B., April 12, 1813; John C., Nov. 30, 1814; July A., Nov. 6, 1816; Felix A., June 24, 1820; Oliver D., Feb. 28, 1822; Louisana L., Feb. 13, 1825; Polly C., Sept. 29, 1827; Gregory R., Dec. 11, 1829; James C., April 11, 1832; Elizabeth C., Aug. 13, 1834; Laura, born in 1836, and Lorenzo E., May 1, 1839. Of these five are now living, namely, Felix A., Oliver D., Polly C., Gregory R. and Lorenzo E. Mr. Hawkins removed from Kentucky to Indiana with his parents in 1829, when a boy of seven years, and from there in 1841, to this county. After reaching his majority he commenced working out by the month, receiving at first $6, and finally $10 per month. Money was very scarce in those days and our subject partly secured his marriage license by the sale of a coon skin. He had but twenty-five cents in cash and the price of the license was sixty-two and one-half cents. While he was deliberating as to what course to pursue, his dog one night treed a coon, which Oliver captured, and with the proceeds was enabled to get the permit to be married. The maiden of his choice was Miss Mary Latter, and they were made husband and wife March 21, 1844, by H. C. Dunbar, Justice of the Peace, the wedding taking place in Ashmore Township, at the home of the bride. Mrs. Hawkins was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Jan. 6, 1823, and made the most of her advantages at the common school, in due time becoming a teacher, which profession she followed for many years. Her parents, John and Mary (Hurd) Lafler, were natives of New York State. Her father was born April 19, 1789, and came to this county in 1837. He located on a tract of land in Ashmore Township, where he carried on fanning until seized with the fatal illness which terminated in his death, Jan. 3, 1844. His wife, Mary, was born in 1798, and died at the homestead in Ashmore Township, ten years after the decease of her husband, her death taking place in 1854. Both had united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in their native State. The parental family included eleven children, who were born as follows: George, Oct. 22, 1818; Amy, Oct. 7, 1820; Mary, Jan. 6, 1823; Jane, Nov. 9, 1824; John, Dec. 5, 1826; William, Nov. 8, 1828; James, March 11, 1831; Lyman, April 27,1833; Edward, April 19, 1836; Aquilla and Priscilla, twins, March 9, 1840. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins went to housekeeping in a modest dwelling constructed of split hickory logs, and “pulled together” in their efforts to establish a comfortable home and secure something for a rainy day. They finally met with the reward of their labors, and have now an estate consisting of 365 acres of valuable land, with shapely and substantial farm buildings and the best fencing in the county. The farm is supplied with streams of living water, which add to its value by hundreds of dollars. Mr. Hawkins has been a man prominent among the agricultural interests of Central Illinois, and his excellent judgment in public matters was long ago recognized by his fellow-townsmen, he served first as Constable nine years, and in the spring of I860 was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for a period of twenty-five years. He was the first Police Magistrate in Ashmore Township, and has been School Treasurer and Director for many years. In the spring of 1869 he was elected to represent the people of Ashmore on the County Board of Supervisors, and his careful attention to the duties of this responsible position secured him the approval of his townsmen. In the meantime he was appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee, during which time the county purchased the grounds for the Poor Farm, of which he was Superintendent for three years. He was also County Coroner for two years. Mr. Hawkins is the only surviving charter member of Ashmore Masonic Lodge No. 390, which was organized in 1861. He has voted the Republican ticket since the organization of the party, and is one of the stanchest supporters of its principles. |
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