Pearl A Hawkins

Other Events:

• Occupation: Music Teacher
• Reference Number: 19510

Notes:

Buried:
Woodlawn Cemetery

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 19498
• _MILT: Between 1861 and 1865; Sgt. Major, 6th Michigan Infantry (Civil War)

Notes:

Jonathan N. Hawkins is one of the honored pioneers of Eaton county, which has been his home from his boyhood days, and he was one of those loyal young men who represented this county as a gallant soldier in the war of the Rebellion. He is the owner of a valuable farm, in section 15, Vermontville township, and is a citizen of worth and prominence.

Mr. Hawkins was born in Perry township, Lake county, Ohio, September 16, 1839, being a son of Moses L. and Elizabeth (Owens) Hawkins.......

Jonathan N. Hawkins was about nine years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Eaton county, and he was reared to the sturdy discipline of the pioneer farm. After duly availing himself of the advantages of the district school he entered Olivet College, where he remained until his intrinsic loyalty and patriotism led him to go forth in defense of the Union, whose integrity was in jeopardy through armed rebellion.

Concerning his war record quotation is made, with slight metaphrase, from an article published in an Eaton county newspaper a few years ago:

The common schools afforded Mr. Hawkins means for acquiring a practical fundamental education, and these advantages were wisely employed. Not content with the knowledge thus gained, young Hawkins entered Olivet College, where he was just nicely settled down to business, in the middle of his second term, when the war of the Rebellion began. He left his pleasant, peaceful surroundings to face the stern realities of war. He served more than four years in Company H, Sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, later known as the First Michigan Heavy Artillery, having enlisted August 20, 1861. He was in the expedition from Baltimore, Maryland, to the eastern part of Virginia, but saw no very exciting times, as the rebels had at the approach of the Union forces, being careful not to be drawn into an engagement. The command returned to Baltimore and thence went to Newport News, where it joined General Benjamin F. Butler's expedition to New Orleans. Mr. Hawkins was first under fire while passing Hampton Roads in the Constitution, the largest United States naval vessel. He went to Ship Island, where he lived on sandy victuals and where he found alligators as plentiful as sheep in a barnyard.

From Ship Island he went to New Orleans on the Great Republic, the largest sailing vessel then owned by the federal government. The trip lasted forty-one days, and so very impure was the supply of water for drinking purposes that scurvy became prevalent on the vessel. For some time Mr. Hawkins was stationed at Camp Morse, or, as it was appropriately named by the boys, Camp Death. He was in the engagement at Baton Rouge and was also a participant in the siege of Port Hudson, after which he was in the famouse gunboat cotton expedition and in two expeditions to Ponchatoula. He was on the ill-fated Clara Belle when that vessel burned on the Mississippi river. These trips on river transports were not less dangerous than the hottest battles, as the boys were liable to be picked off at any time. Mr. Hawkins enlisted as a private and was successively promoted corporal sergeant and sergeant major.

After two and one-half years service he re-enlisted, as a veteran, February 25, 1864, having received his discharge from his original term of enlistment on the preceding day. He was granted a furlough, which he passed at home, and at this time he made two of the happiest hits of his life, taking unto himself a wife and with his veteran money buying a farm for six dollars and a quarter per acre, land which was worth twenty dollars an acre two years later.

He continued in active service with his command until the close of the war, when he returned to Eaton county and began the work of clearing and otherwise improving his farm, which comprised one hundred and twenty acres, in Vermontville township. About twenty acres had been chopped over, and he erected a log house on the place, continuing there to make his home until 1871, when he traded a portion of the land for an improved farm of forty acres, farther south in the same township.

A few years later he traded this place for his present fine homestead, in section 15, the same comprising one hundred and twenty acres of fine land, and he also owns eighty acres one mile northeast of the home place. For several years after coming into possession of his present homestead Mr. Hawkins and his family resided in a frame house which still stands on the opposite side of the road from his present residence.

In 1885 he erected his commodious and attractive brick house, which is one of the fine homes of this township, and he has also built good barns and other farm buildings. His place is a model one and he is known as one of the thrifty and progressive farmers and reliable business men of his township, while to him is accorded the most unstinted popular confidence and esteem in the community.

He has never been a seeker of office, but he has not been permitted to withhold his valuable services in such capacities.

He served two years as supervisor of his township, was highway commissioner four years, and for many years held the office of justice of the peace and also that of school director.
He is a stalwart in the local camp of the Republican party, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church.
In the village of Vermontville, April 25, 1864, Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage to Miss Hannah P. Sprague, who was born in Vermontville township, April 3, 1842, being a daughter of Philetus and Teresa (Whitmore) Sprague.....

In conclusion is incorporated a record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins.......

Jonathan — Hannah Pamelia Sprague. Hannah (daughter of Philetus D Sprague and Teressa Whitmore) was born 3 Aug 1842, Vermontville, Eaton, Michigan, USA; died 15 Jun 1931, Vermontville, Eaton, Michigan, USA; was buried 20 Jun 1931, Vermontville, Eaton, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 13329

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Buried:
Woodlawn Cemetery

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 19499

Moses — Elizabeth D Owen. Elizabeth was born Abt 1819; died 1894. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 19500

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• Reference Number: 13359

Notes:

Buried:
Haner/Ames Cemetery

Philetus married Teressa Whitmore 12 Feb 1821, Hannibal, Oswego, New York, USA. Teressa (daughter of Sylvanus Whitmore and Jemima Haskins) was born 1 May 1802, Rutland, Rutland, Vermont, USA; died 31 Aug 1891, Charlotte, Eaton, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 14922

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• Reference Number: 13342

Notes:

Buried:
DuBois Cemetery

Jonathan married Margaret Carr 1801, Saratoga, New York, USA. Margaret (daughter of Levi Carr and Ruth Goodrich) was born Abt 1784, Manlius, Onondaga, New York, USA; died 18 Apr 1867, Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, USA; was buried , Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 2544

Notes:

Buried:
Du Bois Cemetery

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 14921

Notes:

Buried:
Evergreen Cemetery Lot 219

Sylvanus married Jemima Haskins 24 May 1801, Middletown Springs, Rutland, Vermont, USA. Jemima (daughter of Benjamin Haskins and Deliverance Fillmore) was born Jun 1783, Rutland, Vermont, USA; died 22 Jun 1873, Sinclairville, Chautauqua, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 6342