San Benito-Monterey County CA Archives Biographies.....Hawkins, Thomas S. 1836 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 14, 2007, 11:35 pm

Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

THOMAS S. HAWKINS.-The leading spirit of San Benito county, the man above all
others to whom the community looks in matters of public moment, who for years
has been its acknowledged leader, whose advice is sought and opinion respected
in all questions of importance, is Thomas S. Hawkins, president of the bank of
Hollister.

  Born in Marion county, Missouri, in the year 1836, Mr. Hawkins is now in his
fifty-fifth year. His early life was passed on a farm, and despite the
disadvantages surrounding young men in Missouri fifty years ago, he managed to
secure a good education. Laboring on the farm until sixteen years of age, he
attended a local school, teaching in the meanwhile some of the younger pupils.

  In 1860 he turned his steps to the West. Accompanied by his wife and infant
son, he, with some neighbors, successfully made the long journey across the
plains, and attracted by the fertility of the Santa Clara valley he located
there and engaged in the occupation of farming. He remained there until 1867,
and by economy and good management found himself in vastly improved
circumstances. In 1868 the San Justo Homestead Association was organized, having
for its object the subdivision of a portion of the San Justo rancho, in Monterey
county. Although but thirty-two years of age, Mr. Hawkins was the leading spirit
in this gigantic task, and the prosperous town of Hollister, with its
surrounding fertile farms, now mark the result of their labor. Arriving on the
ground before the town was laid out, he secured two of the subdivisions,
amounting to 340 acres, immediately adjoining the town site on the south. As the
village commenced to grow, by skillful management in the disposal of lots he
directed its growth toward his land, and soon one ranch of 170 acres was
disposed of at a great advance, and a portion of the other was also on the
market. With the money thus realized he, with others, founded the Bank of
Hollister, in 1873. Chosen to be its first president, he has retained the
position ever since. This institution has been a powerful factor in the
development of the resources of the county of San Benito. In the organization of
the county, which was cut off from Monterey county in 1874, Mr. Hawkins was one
of the most influential and indefatigable workers. Since then his position as a
foremost man in the community has never been assailed.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.



HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.


CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanbenito/bios/hawkins1003nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/

File size: 3.8 Kb