HAWKINS, Thomas P. "Tom" - b. December 24, 1844 - d. June 10, 1927

[genealogynut]

Howard Courant
June 16, 1927

TOM HAWKINS IS DEAD

Pioneer of Greenfield Township Passed Away Friday, June 10

Thomas P. Hawkins, a pioneer of the Grenola neighborhood and one of the most highly respected citizens of the county, died last Friday, after an illness of long standing.  He was stricken with partial paralysis several years ago, and several times since has suffered with recurring slight strokes.  At times he was almost helpless, and again he would almost entirely recover.  But for many months he has been very feeble, and it was no surprise when the end came.

Mr. Hawkins came to the county in 1870 and entered a claim on Caney, near where Canola was located.  He prospered as a farmer, and later engaged in banking and other investments.  He was active in local politics, and was at different times trustee of his township.  At the division of Howard county, he was appointed as the first county clerk of Elk County.  Later he served two or three terms as county commissioner, and twice represented Elk County in the state legislature.  He was an ardent Republican and a "Standpatter."  He wa a Civil War soldier, and always took great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, for many years serving as Post Commander of the Grenola organization.

Elk county had no better citizen than Tom Hawkins, and The Courant and its publisher never had a more loyal friend.

His funeral Sunday was attended by a large concourse of people, many from Howard and other towns in the county motoring in Grenola for the occasion.

The following obituary of Mr. Hawkins is furnished us by Mrs. Belle Yates, who conducted the funeral services.

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Born December 24, 1844, in Logan county, Ohio, died June 10, 1927, at his home in Grenola, Kansas, age eighty two years, five months and sixteen days.

By birth, a son of that great state that furnished one-fourth of the Federal troops; by adoption, a son of the Sunflower state, which he served in the state legislature. He being a true type of these two great States that have moulded public opinion and furnished many noble statesmen.

What can I say of him whose presence was so familiar to the people of Elk County and especially Grenola?  He served Elk county in more than one official capacity.  All of the deeds of the Grenola townsite have the name of Thomas P. Hawkins upon them as president.  He has been the continious Commander of Appomatox G.A.R. Post.

He with his young wife settled on their farm south of Grenola in 1870.  That he was a man of industry and strong will is manifest by the manner in which he and Belle, his wife, began the great battle of life on the frontier, and became the wealthiest farmers in that section.

Here ten children were born into their home; the twins dying in 1882; Tommy passing away in early manhood; and Clay giving his life for his country in Overseas service, in the World War.

The following are left with the frail wife and mother to mourn their loss; Everett and William Hawkins, of Filer, Idaho; Mrs. Alice Roper, of Mulberry, Kansas; and Mrs. Birdie Wilber; Mrs. Dora Brown and Edward Hawkins of Grenola.  There are also a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Thus, having served in private and public service among us for fifty-seven years, and lived the allotted period of human life, he passes, a true type of the American citizen, ripe in deeds of public interest and full of honor.

The funeral services were conducted according to his wishes by Mrs. Belle Reid Yates, at the Methodist church at Grenola, at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon.  The body was then conducted to Greenlawn cemetery by the Grenola Legion who performed the last military rites. ---Belle Reid Yates.