Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-William N. Hawley


Portrait and Biographical Album of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




WILLIAM N. HAWLEY, ex-Mayor of Herington, and the manager of the Herington Lumber Company, is one of the leading business men of that place. He was born in Pekin, Ill., on the 26th of August, 1859, and is a son of William C. and Mary S. (Nason) Hawley. His father was a native of Illinois and the mother was born in the Pine Tree State. She was a daughter of Rev. Reuben Nason, who throughout nearly his entire life was Principal of the Gorham Academy of Maine. His uncle, N. C. Nason, of Peoria, was Grand Scribe of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Illinois. The Nasons were all highly educated and followed professional and literary careers. When our subject was a lad of four years he removed to Iowa with his parents, the family locating in Mt. Pleasant, and at the age of fifteen he accompanied them to Lincoln, Neb. He was liberally educated, completing his studies in the Nebraska State University at Lincoln. He then turned his attention to farming, which he followed in Nebraska until 1884, when he came to Kansas. Two years he spent in Morris County, and for five years he has been manager of the Herington Lumber Company, which is carrying on operations at this place. The company carries a full line of stock, such as is found in a complete lumberyard. A liberal trade has been secured and the company is doing a good business under the successful management of our subject.

On the 31st of January, 1882, in Lincoln, Neb., Mr. Hawley was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Cartlidge, of that city. Four children grace their union, namely: Willie, Norma, Mattie and Harold. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Hawley is a Republican, but in 1891 he was elected Mayor of this city irrespective of party. During his administration the water-works and electric-light plants first became self-sustaining. In 1890 he served as City Treasurer, and with promptness and fidelity discharged his public duties.

The subject of this sketch is widely and favorably known in this community, and is a prominent citizen, as well as a progressive and enterprising business man. He has the interests of the community at heart and does all in his power to promote the general welfare and aid in the upbuilding of the town and county.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP