Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hawley, Allen G 1858 - 
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Author: Portrait & Biographical Album, 1890

ALLEN G. HAWLEY, editor of the Will County Commercial Advertiser, was born in 
Centralia, Ill., April 25, 1858. He is the son of Henry S. and Deborah 
(Bramen) Hawley, natives of the Empire State, who settled in Lockport early in 
the '30s. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Lockport and at an 
early age entered the office of the Lockport Courier, which was then edited by 
N. S. Grimwood, the balloonist. After two years spent in the employ of that 
gentleman he entered the office of the Joliet Sun, where he finished his 
apprenticeship. He had become thoroughly conversant with the printer's trade, 
and had also acquired a good knowledge of journalistic work in editorial and 
other departments. In 1877 Mr. Hawley opened a small job printing office in 
Lockport, and during the same year began the publication of the Lockport 
Standard. The enterprising spirit of the man and his ambition to reach a high 
standing in the fields of journalism was not satisfied with this enterprise, 
and he, therefore, began the publication of the Advertiser, believing that a 
sheet of this nature would reach a larger circulation and a more influential 
place. He began it by himself filling the vaiious positions of editor, 
reporter, printer, devil and business manager. The plant consisted of one old 
press propelled by hand. Ere long the standing of the paper had become 
sufficiently assured to allow the use of horse-power to run the press, and 
eventually the business grew until all the modern appliances of a first-class 
establishment were obtained and steam became the motive power. The Commercial 
Advertiser now has eight editions for as many places in Will County. Mr. 
Hawley is without a peer as a solicitor for advertising and job work, and is 
what in Western parlance would be called a "hustler." The enterprise of Mr. 
Hawley is not confined to the newspaper business, but in 1888 he built a brick 
building at No. 407 Chicago Street, Joliet, and in 1889 inaugurated the 
electric light system in Lockport. He introduced the Edison incandescent 
light, placed the business on a firm basis and then diposed of his interest to 
Norton & Co. He is now building for himself an elegant home, which, when 
completed, will be a credit to the city. As he is yet in his thirties and has 
not yet reached the highest point of man's vigor, it is but natural to suppose 
that this section of country will hear yet more of his work in years to come. 
In 1879 Mr. Hawley led to the hymeneal altar Miss Aretta M. Riggs, of 
Pontiac,a lady well fitted to assist in building up his fortunes and making a 
happy home. She is a native of Pennsylvania, descends from an old family, and 
inherits the proverbial industry of the ancestral race. She worked in the 
printing-office as long as her assistance was needed, and has by her clear 
understanding and good advice also assisted her husband in his labors. Mr. 
Hawley takes no special interest in politics, but is descended from Republican 
ancestors. He belongs to the lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and Masonic fraternity, and to the Universalist Church. The Hawley family have 
been pillars in that church for years and assisted in founding the university 
of that faith. 

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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