"Major" James Hawthorne (1814-1904)

HAWTHORNE, HAWTHORN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/10/2015 at 11:51:00

From an Ames newspaper (who gave credit to the Nevada Journal) October 27, 1904

James Hawthorne.

Major James Hawthorne, who passed away at his home in this city Friday afternoon at the rather advanced age of four-score years and ten was born in county Down, Ireland, on the 14th of May, 1814. At the age of about one year his father died at the age of four his mother, with her eight small children emigrated to America, sailing from Belfast to New York. They at last settled in Hagerstown, Maryland. Here he spent hsi boyhood days and gained what little schooling he was permitted to enjoy in his boyhood. Coming west at the time he had reached his majority he stopped at Columbus where he sought and found work at his trade, that of a carpenter, and lived there for several years. Here he contracted his first marriage. In the spring of 1855 he came farther west and located on a farm in Johnson's Grove. here they lived but a year when they took up their home at Nevada, which continued to be the residence of Mr. Hawthorne during the remainder of his days. For sixteen years he continued in this business and was very successful in it. One of the few democrats to be accorded such an honor Mr. Hawthorne was elected to the state legislature from this county in 1867, winning over the divided republican vote by about 100 plurality. His opponents in this campaign were J. L. Dana and Lycurgus Irwin. His death occurred at the family residence on Oak street Friday afternoon amid a large circle of his family. His illness had covered a period of many months and was the gradual failing of old age. The funeral services were conducted at Central Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon by Rev. W. B. Sanford and the services at the cemetery were under the auspices of the Masonic order, of which he was charter member in this city. Both services were attended by large concourses of sorrowing friends and relatives. But, while all sorrowed, yet they realized that he had lived out his allotted years and his life had been one crowned with many good deeds and whose latter days had been spent in the enjoyment of such cheer as but such a life could bring.--Nevada Journal.