Elk County KS Archives Obituaries.....Hawkins, Thomas P. June 10, 1927
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L Morgan blueduck3248@totelcsi.com July 21, 2007, 11:31 am

Howard Courant,   June 16, 1927
TOM HAWKINS IS DEAD

Pioneer of Greenfield Township Passed Away Friday, June 10.


Thomas P. Hawkins, a pioneer of the Grenola neighborhood and one of the most 
highly respected citizens of the county, died last Friday, after an illness of 
long standing.  He was stricken with partial paralysis several years ago, and 
several times since has suffered with recurring slight strokes.  At times he 
was almost entirely recovered.  But for many months he has been very feeble, 
and it was no surprise when the end came.

Mr. Hawkins came to the county in 1870 and entered a claim on the Caney near 
where Canola was located.  He prospered as a farmer, and later engaged in 
banking and other investments. He was active in local politics, and was at 
different times, trustee of his township.  At the division of Howard county, 
he was appointed as the first county clerk of Elk county.  Later he served two 
or three terms as county commissioner, and twice represented Elk county in the 
state legislature.  He was an ardent Republican and a "Standpatter." He was a 
Civil War soldier, and always took great interest in the Grand Army of the 
Republic, for many years serving as Post Commander of the Grenola organization.

Elk county had no better citizen than Tom Hawkins, and The Courant and its 
publisher never had a more loyal friend.

His funeral Sunday was attended by a large concourse of people, many from 
Howard and other towns in the county motoring in Grenola for the occasion.

The following obituary of Mr. Hawkins is furnished to us by Mrs. Belle Yates, 
who conducted the funeral service:

HE SLEEPS

Calm is they slumber, as an infant's sleep.
But thou shalt wake no more to war and weep,
Thine is the perfect rest--secure and deep.
THOMAS P. HAWKINS; Good night!

Born December 24, 1844, in Logan county, Ohio, died June 10, 1927 at his home 
in Grenola, Kansas.  Age eighty two years, five months, and sixteen days.

By birth, a son of that great state that furnished one-fourth of the Federal 
troops; by adoption, a son of the Sunflower state, which he served in the 
state legislature.  He, being a true type of these two great States that have 
moulded public opinion and furnished many noble statesmen.

What can I say of him whose presence was so familiar to the people of Elk 
county and especially Grenola?  He served Elk county in more than one official 
capacity.  All of the deeds of the Grenola townsite have the name of Thomas P. 
Hawkins upon them as president.  He has been the continous Commander of 
Appomatox G.A.R. Post.

He with his young wife settled on their farm south of Grenola in 1870.  That 
he was a man of industry and strong will is manifest by the manner in which he 
and Belle, his wife, began the great battle of life on the frontier, and 
became the wealthiest farmers in that section.

Here ten children were born into their home; the twins dying in 1882; Tommy 
passing away in early manhood, and Clay giving his life for his Country in 
Overseas service in the World War.

The following are left with the frail wife and mother to mourn their loss: 
Everett and William Hawkins, of Filer, Idaho; Mrs. Alice Roper, of Mulberry, 
Kansas; Mrs. Birdie Wilber; Mrs. Dora Brown and Edward Hawkins, of Grenola.  
There are also a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thus, having served in private and public service among us for fifty-seven 
years, and lived the allotted period of human life, he passes, a true type of 
the American citizen, ripe in deeds of public interest and full of honor.

The funeral services were conducted according to his wishes by Mrs. Belle Reid 
Yates, at the Methodist church at Grenola, at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon.  
The body was then conducted to Greenlawn cemetery by the Grenola Legion who 
performed the last military rites.--Belle Reid Yates

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