HAWKINS, Lorenzo Dan Blodget 1838-1928

HAWKINS, HARDIN, COWLES, PRESS, TOPLIFF

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 2/17/2003 at 21:32:22

LORENZO DAN BLODGET HAWKINS

L. D. B. Hawkins Interred With Masonic Rites

Lorenzo Dan Blodget Hawkins, son of John S. and Abigal Hawkins, was born in Lakeport, New Hampshire, November 16, 1838. He came to Postville in the fall of 1858 and has lived in this vicinity ever since.

In July of 1860 he was united in marriage to Cynthia Hardin, who passed away July 10, 1883. Of this union there was born one daughter, Mrs. J. W. Press of Richland, Mo., who survives but was unable to attend the funeral.

On March 9th, 1885, he was united in marriage with Lydia Cowles of Postville, who survives to mourn his death. In 1884 Mr. Hawkins became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Postville and remained a faithful and efficient member of that congregation until its dissolution and union with the local Congregational church to form the Community Presbyterian church, of which he became a charter member. Always he has loved his church and has had a firm faith in his Lord and Savior.

Mr. Hawkins passed away quickly and quietly at his home in this city on Wednesday evening, April, 9th, 1928, aged within a few months of ninety years.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Mrs. Lydia Hawkins; his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Press; two brothers, H. P. Hawkins of Postville, and Harvey Hawkins of Los Angeles, California; and a sister, Mrs. R. D. R. Topliff of Los Angeles.

The above is the life story of a gentleman whose life span was for the most part spent in this community and thirty-five years of it in this city. He was neighborly, friendly and sociable with all, as honest as the day is long, and he was also industrious and frugal, and measured well up toward the full stature of a christian gentleman, whose face and kindly greeting will be sadly missed by all who came within the wide circle of his acquaintance.

Fraternally he was affiliated with Brotherly Love Lodge No. 204, A. F. & A. M., of this city, in which he had held honored membership during a period of fifty-nine years, having some years ago been awarded a gold certificate from the fraternity indicative of his fifty-year membership in same.

Pursuant to a request made of the local Odd Fellows lodge at the time they purchased the old Methodist church building for a lodge hall, the funeral of Mr. Hawkins was held from his old church home, the same taking place last Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. R. F. Galloway and the Masonic fraternity, Brother R. R. Douglass officiating for the local lodge. Interment was made in the Postville cemetery.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection.

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Posted By: Judy Moyna
Date: 4/24/2011

The community was shocked Wednesday afternoon at about five o’clock when the News was told that Mr. L. D. B. Hawkins had suddenly passed away at his home in west Postville. He had been about as usual that day and had attended to his chickens and the furnace. When he walked to the front door and opened it he fell dead. The funeral was held from the home Saturday afternoon and from the Odd Fellows’ Hall, which was formerly the Methodist church, of which Mr. Hawkins was a faithful member, and it was his request that his funeral be held from that building. The services were conducted by Rev. R. F. Galloway pastor of the Community Presbyterian church of this city and by Ray R. Douglass for the Masonic Lodge of this city, of which he was a member for fifty-nine years. He was born in Mass., and lived in this community for many years. He is survived by his widow and one daughter Mrs. Melissa Press of Richland Mo., two grandchildren and one sister Mrs. Topliff of Los Angeles, California, one brother H. P. Hawkins of this city and many friends. Burial was made in Postville cemetery.

~The Clayton County Register, Elkader, Iowa, Thursday, April 19, 1928., p. 2.

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6/24/13, added by Connie Ellis - Hawkins family researcher:

Lorenzo "Dan" Hawkins is not correct. His complete name was Lorenzo Dow Blodgett Hawkins

DOW was a family name.