| Newspaper | Cassville Democrat |
|---|---|
| Date | September 28, 1907, Saturday |
| Headline | Celebrate Their Golden Wedding: William Calhoun Hawk and Roby Elizabeth (Weekly) Hawk |
| Text | September 23, 1857, William Calhoun Hawk and Miss Roby Elizabeth Weekly were united in marriage in Cassville, MO, by Geo. K. Porter, a well known and highly respected divine of the Christian Church of near this city, for better or for worse. Those fifty years have come and gone, but with them anxieties and responsibilities came; the raising of a family was assumed, the greatest in this life, yet they have succeeded well, never having had a death in a family of ten children. All have grown to man and womanhood and all but two reside in this vicinity. William Calhoun Hawk was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hawk. John Hawk was a native of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Hawk of Tennessee, and they moved to Barry County, MO, in 1840 and lived two years at Washburn and afterwards moved to Cassville, and with them came their sons, Jacob W., of near this city, William C., of this city, and Gee Hawk now deceased. William C. Hawk was born in Warren County, Tenn., Oct 6, 1832 and lived in McMinnville, Tenn., when his mother died. In his younger days, Mr. Hawk was an overland stage driver, and drove from Cassville, MO, to Fayetteville, Ark., and from Cassville to James McCallah's, the old state stand, 23 miles southwest of Springfield. In 1853, he with the Edmondson's, Dr. Adams and others from Arkansas started to California, and went the southern route up the Arkansas River valley by the way of Salt Lake City, where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1854, they started for the Golden State. They had several hundred head of cattle, and before starting they divided up the cattle, some going one route, and the others another. On arriving in California, Mr. Hawk stopped at the mines near Foreman's Ranch, where he remained for a time, and then went to Cache Creek county where he remained until 1855, when he returned to Cassville, where he has since resided. During the Civil War he served in Co. G. 15th MO Reg. of Cavalry. He established the first blacksmith shop in Cassville, after the war, and followed that occupation for many years, until age crept upon him and forced him to quit. He now lives at his home in this city, taking life quietly and easy, ever ready to play a practical joke on some friend, or spin a good yarn, backed up by a good sized pipe, of hill side navy. Mrs. Roby Elizabeth (Weekly) Hawk was an orphan girl, both her parents having lived and died in St. Louis, leaving her at a tender age, to care for herself. She was born in the city of St. Louis, on July 4, 1843 and when 10 years old "Buck" Woods, now deceased, a prominent merchant of this city at that day and time, was in St. Louis, and induced her come home with him, which she did, and a few years later was married to Mr. Hawk. She is of German parentage and remembers to have crossed the ocean twice while a child. Mrs. Hawk established the first exclusive millinery store in Barry County, and for about thirty years, she has continued in this line of business, increasing her business from year to year, until she sells her goods to patrons far and near. She has a wonderful supply of energy, which she applies to her business, that has caused her to make a success of it. This family can be thankful for one thing, if nothing more, and that is, they have never lost a single child. Their children are: B. J. Hawk and family, have 6 children living and one dead. One daughter married, Mrs. Urt Hutchens and they have two children, making Byron grandfather twice. Mrs. Dora Talbert and two daughters. William Sterling Hawk has three daughters. Carlee Hawk is single, but would like to be married. Charles Gee Hawk of near town, has one daughter. Mrs. Buna Scott of Alluwee, I. T., has two sons and two daughters. Robert Pharis Hawk of Monett has one son living and one son and daughter dead. Mrs. Mae Dow and family of Pierce city, has one daughter. Mrs. Grace Thompson of this city. Cleo Hawk, the baby of the family, is now of marriageable age, and acts sometimes just like he would marry - if there was he had a chance. At 12 pm, dinner was announced and before entering the dinning room a small bell, suspended by yellow ribbon - commemorative of the occasion was presented to each guest. At the table a vacant chair was left between Mr. and Mrs. Hawk, but the vacancy was soon filled by Love as the Rev. E. W. Love, after a few appropriate remarks and prayer, filled up the vacancy, and the business of this very pleasant occasion as well attended to, as there was a bountiful supply of good things to eat. Those present were: J. W. Hawk, a brother and daughter, Miss Nora of near this city. Drury Wilkerson and wife of Monett, M. Horine and wife, M. C. Messer, wife and sister, Miss Tiny Arch Hessee and wife, Dr. Thiele and wife, Rev. E. W. Love and wife, P. E. Horine and wife, Dr. Mitchell and family, Mrs. Jas. Henley, and Chas. Ray, wife and daughter, Miss Bessie, of this city, and W. J. Mills, Frisco Ticket Agent of Monett. All the children of Mr. and Mrs. Hawk were present, excepting Mrs. Dora Talbert and daughters who are visiting relatives in Texas, having arranged for the trip, before arrangements had been made for the Golden Wedding Anniversary. The occasion will long be remembered by all present and all departed hoping that Mr. and Mrs. Hawk might live to celebrate such another occasion. |
| Resource | State Historical Society of MO Microfilm |
| Submitted by | Donna Cooper |
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