James Hawthorn/Hawthorne (1814-1904)

HAWTHORN, HAWTHORNE, MEEK, DAVIS, RAYBURN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/23/2011 at 22:59:35

From Story County Watchman October 28, 1904

An Old and Respected
Citizen passes Away.

On Friday last just after one o'clock James Hawthorn passed from this sphere of activity to the land of the future to which all inhabitants of this earth are destined to go sooner or latter. That is the history of all in the past save and alone the Prophet Elijah, who is said was transplanted without the pangs of that ending. The ending has been anticipated for sometime yet when the hour arrived it was to a certain extent sudden. Mr. Hawthorn was born in County Down, in the north of Ireland, on May 14, 1814, where he lived until the age of three years, when he came to this country with his widowed mother and her other children, settling in Georgetown, District of Columbia. His earlier days were spent about the same as the rest of the children of that time. He came to Story county, setteling upon a farm near wht is now known as Johnsons Grove, in 1855, and afterwards to Nevada where he remained until the end came to his relief.

In 1867 he was elected to the legislature from Story county on the democratic ticket being chosen by a split in the republicans over Mr. Dana and Mr. Irwin their candidates by a small majority. He filled the position acceptably and to the satisfaction of his constituents, He also filled made local offices notably mayor of the city.

He retired from active business quite a number of years since and has been gradually failing during the last few years the end coming as noted on Friday afternoon last at his residence in this city. The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon Rev. Sanford preaching the sermon for the occasion. He was a member of Nevada lodge of Masons and that order turned out well to give their last tokens of respect to him, there being members present of Ames, Cambridge, Maxwell, Colo and other points, and many others have expressed regret that they were not present owing to not having notice of the time and event. Worshipful Master C. E. Hunt of the Ames lodge president in the east and did the work of the occasion. During his earlier life he was quite active in the work of up building Nevada and Story county and many of the most praise worthy projects had his most hearty support. Suffice that he was one of the best men for the city that has lived here and that has been recognized for many years in the past.

The children were all present with him during the last hours: D. J., of Denver, Col.; Mrs. Esther Meek, of Waterloo, Ind.; I. J. Davis, Valley Falls, Kans.; I. and J. M. Hawthorn, of Nevada; Mrs. Belle Rayburn, of Grinnell; and children of Isaac and James M., of this city.