My Genealogy Hound

Judge James M. Hawkins, county judge of Second District, was born in Miller County, Mo., near Brumley, September 19, 1847, and is the son of Presley and S. B. (McCubbin) Hawkins, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. They immigrated to Miller County, Mo., in 1842, coming through in wagons, and located near Brumley, where they entered a tract of land at $1.25 per acre. Mr. Hawkins erected a little log cabin, with clapboard roof and weighted with poles, and began to improve his farm. Later he built a hewed-log house, covered with shaved walnut shingles with the corners clipped, and this lasted for twenty-five years. At that time there were but three or four houses in Tuscumbia, and it was the trading point of all South Miller County. Game of most all kinds was plenty, but Mr. Hawkins cared very little for hunting. He died there in 1859. The mother died in Texas, where she had moved a few years previous to her death. They were the parents of six children, five now living—Judge James M., Mary C., wife of James C. Dodson, resides in Texas; Cynthia, wife of Z. Spearman; William L., resides in Miller County, and Millard F., of Moniteau County. Judge James M. Hawkins was reared and educated in Miller County, was brought up in a pioneer way of living, as the country was very wild at that time, and after the war broke out, January, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, Col. Woods’ battalion, and served one year. At the time of his enlistment he was but fourteen years of age, but he was firm in his determination to enter the service. He was discharged on account of disability at Helena, Ark., having received a wound. He re-enlisted in 1864 at Linn Creek, and served until June 29, 1865, when he was discharged, He participated in several hard skirmishes. After returning home he first engaged in farming, and later traveled around quite extensively. March 19, 1871, he married Miss Julia A. Martin, a native of Missouri, and to this union were born seven children, six, now living: Edwin P., William C., Philip C., Lena C., James C. and George Clayton. In the fall of 1872 Mr. Hawkins was appointed deputy sheriff and collector under W. C. Brumley, which position he held for four years. He then returned to farming and dealing in stock until 1880, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Brumley, buying out the senior member of T. Thompson & Bro., and the firm continued as Thompson & Hawkins until January 1, 1888. In connection with this they also carry on the milling business. Since the last mentioned date Mr. Hawkins has been extensively engaged in farming. He was elected county judge in November, 1888. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F., the G. A. R., and of the Agricultural Wheel.