Biography of Robert Hawthorne, Clay Co, AR

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From: 
The Goodspeed Biographical and Historical Memoirs of N. E. Ark.
Biographical Information.

Robert A. Hawthorne, farmer, and postmaster at Don, Clay County, Ark., was born
on the 12th of August, 1849, in Benton County, Tenn., his parents, Robert H. and
Elizabeth (Baker) Hawthorne, being born in Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The
paternal grandfather was born in Ireland, locating in Ohio after coming to
America, and afterward moved to Illinois, where he died. The maternal
grandfather was born in Virginia, and removed from there to Tennessee, in which
State he died, being engaged in farming. Robert A. Hawthorne was reared and
educated in Ohio, and removed with his father to Illinois, where he made his
home until about twenty-two years of age, when he went to Tennessee and began
the study of law, being admitted to the bar shortly after. He practiced his
profession for a number of years, and was also engaged in farming. At the age of
about fifty years he gave up his law practice, and turned his attention to
obtaining pensions for claimants. In the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Forrest's
cavalry, and was shortly after transferred to the infantry and was sent south,
participating in many [p.222] battles, and holding the rank of provost marshal.
He was never wounded nor taken prisoner. He died January 1, 1866, his death
being deeply regretted by his many friends and acquaintances. His widow is still
living, being in her seventy-ninth year, and resides with her children: Robert
A. and John C. The former obtained his education and rearing in Tennessee,
remaining on a farm in that State until twenty-one years old, when he came to
Clay County, Ark., and located at Corning, where he was engaged in the sale of
liquors for six years. He then turned his attention to farming, and in 1882
bought the farm of 202 acres where he now lives; 110 acres are under cultivation
and fairly improved. He raises corn and cotton, principally, and some clover.
The land is well adapted for raising all the cereals, and makes an excellent
stock farm, which industry receives much of his attention. October 12, 1888, the
postoffice was established at his house, and he was made postmaster, the office
taking the name of Don. In 1871 he was married to Miss Alice Polk, by whom he
has two children: Ethel and Mary E. (who is deceased). Mrs. Hawthorne is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.