GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES
Contributed by Charlene Holland
WILLIAM C. HAWKINS
William C. Hawkins, farmer, Boles, Ark. The subject of this sketch is a native of Indiana, born February 14, 1833, and is the son of Raleigh and Harriet Hawkins. He passed his boyhood and youth on a farm in Tennessee, whither his parents had moved when he was quite small, and a few years later they located in DeKalb County, Ala. There William C. remained until he was twenty-three years of age, when he left home and went to Mississippi. He there purchased a tract of land and remained on the same for about three years. In 1860 he came to Arkansas, settled in this county and bought 160 acres of land, which he improved for two years. He then enlisted and entered the Federal Army, Second Kansas Cavalry, was stationed at Van Buren, where he remained until transferred to Little Rock. At the close of the war he returned to his farm, but soon after sold the place and bought his present property, which then consisted of 200 acres of land. To this he has added 220 acres and now has one of the finest farms in this township, about 200 acres being under cultivation. His principal crops are corn and cotton. He has this year seventy-five acres in cotton, which are yielding three-fourths of a bale to the acre, and seventy acres in corn, with a field of sixty-five bushels to the acre. Everything about his place indicates a thrifty and progressive owner. Mr. Hawkins was married in 1854 to Miss Sarah M. Blanchard of Alabama, and they had two children, both sons. Mrs. Hawkins died about six years after her marriage. One of the sons died in youth, and the other, A. D. Hawkins, is married and resides near his father. In 1867 Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage to Mrs. Martha Scott, daughter of M. Scott, of Texas. They have four living children: three sons and a daughter: William C. (married to Miss Elizabeth Duly and resides in this township), George B., Raleigh and Kansas M. The last three named are at home with their parents. Mrs. Hawkins is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a lady of culture and refinement. Mr. Hawkins is a stanch Republican in his political views, and is a member of Landmark Lodge No. 464, A. F. & A. M.