My Genealogy Hound

Harry M. Hankins, hardware dealer, Monticello, Ark. It would be hard to find two men better known in connection with the hardware business than the firm of Hankins & Lambert, and their acquaintance is by no means a local one, but extends over a wide range of territory. The senior member of the firm, Harry Hankins, was born in Drew County, Ark., on March 16, 1847, and is the son of Robert W. and Sallie (Albright) Hankins, natives of Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively. Robert W. Hankins was born in Montgomery County on February 25, 1821, and was a son of Carter and Lucy (Austin) Hankins, natives of the same county and State as Robert W. The latter’s paternal grandfather was William Hankins, and his maternal, David Austin. Carter Hankins was a shoemaker by trade, and followed this in Montgomery County, Tenn., for some time. He was the father of eight children, two now living: Robert W. and Wilman (now Mrs. Lemmons, of Jefferson County). Robert W. Hankins moved to Haywood County, Tenn., with his parents, when a boy, and without an education commenced life for himself as an overseer, about 1840. He came to Drew County, located on his present farm, consisting of about 320 acres, with seventy-five under cultivation in 1850, and there he has since remained. He was married on June 5, 1843, to Miss Sarah Albright, a native of South Carolina, and the daughter of Isaac and Philopoena Albright, the father a brick-mason by trade. Mrs. Hankins was born on January 25, 1825, and died in 1879. To this union were born nine children, eight of whom are living: Harriet A. (now Mrs. Eckles, of this township), Harry M. (hardware merchant of Monticello, subject), Martha Caroline (now Mrs. Owens, of this township), Jesse James (a carpenter of Monticello), Henry Neely (a farmer of this county), Charles Woodbine (a hardware merchant of Warren), Joan of Arc (wife of J. M. Hughes, see sketch), and Don Rich (dry goods merchant at Monticello). The father of these children enlisted in Thompson’s brigade, Confederate Infantry, was in service about three months, but participated in no engagements. He is not active in politics, but is Democratic in his views. His son, Harry M. Hankins, was reared on the farm until 1868, and during the late war served as a substitute for his father. He came to Monticello in the last-mentioned year, learned the tinner’s trade, and in 1874 engaged in the hardware business with M. J. King, with whom he continued for thirteen months, when he bought him out. He then continued alone until 1881, when he formed a partnership with P. E. Lambert, the present member. They carry a fine stock of hardware, stoves, etc., and are doing a good business. Mr. Hankins was married in 1875, to Miss Julia Lambert, and to this union have been born six children: Olga, Jennie, Harry, Perry, Sallie and Augusta. Mr. Hankins is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, the Masonic fraternity and the K. of H. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He was elected county treasurer in 1886, and this position he has since filled to the satisfaction of all concerned. Consistent, conscientious and outspoken in whatever he does, he is a man who never fears to carry out his honest convictions under all circumstances. He was also city recorder for eleven years.