CHRISTOPHER C. HAWKINS
A
highly cultivated and valuable farm of one hundred and
eighty-seven acres in Jackson township, Lucas county, stands
as evidence of the life work of Christopher C. Hawkins, who is
classed among the most prosperous agriculturists of his
county. Born in
Van Buren county, Iowa, March 18, 1872, he came with his
parents to Lucas, Iowa, where the family lived until removal
was made to the farm in Jackson township, which consists of
two portions, one of one hundred and sixty acres and one of
twenty-seven acres. The
father, Christopher B. Hawkins, is a native of Cornwall,
England, where he was born September 21, 1832, and still makes
his home with our subject.
The mother, Mary Ann (Plaster) Hawkins, a native of
England, was born October 8, 1831, but was reared in Wales. She passed away in
Lucas, August 16, 1906.
In their family were five children, of whom four are
living, those beside our subject being: Mrs. Grace Loach,
of Enterprise, Iowa; Mrs. Carrie Kent, residing in Jackson
township and John W., also a resident of Enterprise.
Christopher C. Hawkins was reared under the parental roof and enjoyed such educational advantages as the neighborhood afforded. He early became acquainted with thorough methods of soil culture and as the years have passed has made his property one of the most valuable in this section. All modern improvements can be found upon the farm, including an up-to-date residence and first-class barns and outbuildings. Following progressive and scientific methods, Mr. Hawkins has attained a success which stands forth as conspicuous.
On
January 25, 1897, Christopher C. Hawkins was united in
marriage to Miss Lillie Baker, who was born in Jackson
township on July 15, 1879.
Here she grew to womanhood and received her education. Her parents, John
O. and Lavina (Spencer) Baker, were both natives of Indiana
county, Pennsylvania, the former born October 12, 1846, and
the latter August 15, 1856, the father coming to Iowa in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Baker
are still living, occupying a comfortable residence in Lucas. In their family
were the following children:
Mrs. Catharine Roberts, born January 30, 1875, a
resident of Hiteman, Iowa; William, born July 10, 1877,
deceased; Mrs. Hawkins, the wife of the subject of this
review; Peter, born April 26, 1861, of Lucas, Iowa; Mrs. Anna
Woods, born May 20, 1883, of Jackson township; Carl and
Charles, twins, born April 10, 1886, the former of Jackson
township and the latter of Creston, Iowa; Noah, born November
26, 1889, also of that city; Albert, born April 12, 1893, who
married Miss Irene Evans, a daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Evans) Evans of Jackson township and Christopher, born August
15, 1896, of Lucas. Of
these, Catharine, Peter and Anna were born in Clarke county,
Iowa, but the others are all natives of Jackson township,
where all were reared. Mr.
and Mrs. Hawkins have adopted a son, Lehigh Hawkins, who is
attending school.
In his political views Mr. Hawkins is a republican and gives his stanch support to the measures and candidates of that party. Both he and his wife are members of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints of Lucas and take an active and helpful interest in the work of the organization. Fraternally he is a member of Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 414, A. F. & A. M. All measures and movements inaugurated to promote the public welfare find in him an ardent supporter, and while he has been individually successful, his success has influenced the growth and development of the locality and has been a factor in the general advancement.