J. A. Hawkins Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1865-1866 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	J. A. HAWKINS, one of the interested principals in the Bank of 
Pierpont, Day county, is a native of the state of Minnesota, having 
been born in the village of Frankfort, Mower county. He received his 
preliminary educational discipline in the public schools of his native 
town, and thereafter completed a course of study in the Minnesota State 
High School, at Spring Valley. In 1892 he came west with a carload of 
horses, intending to return to Minnesota. He visited Montana, Idaho and 
North and South Dakota' and became impressed with the attractions 
offered to a young man in the new commonwealth last mentioned, and 
finally decided to cast in his lot with its people. He first located in 
Waubay, Day county, where he maintained his home for five years, being 
engaged in various pursuits, including teaching, surveying and the 
operation of a meat market. He then removed to Pierpont, where he was 
employed as a teacher in the village schools for a short interval, at 
the expiration of which he established himself in the grain business, 
becoming associated with the late C. C. Dart, under the firm name of 
Dart & Hawkins. They built up a prosperous and important enterprise in 
the line and continued operations until the death of Mr. Dart, when it 
devolved upon the surviving partner to settle up the business, and he 
became associated with Mrs. W. M. Hart, in establishing the Bank of 
Pierpont, in the ownership of which institution they have since 
continued, the bank now controlling an excellent business and being one 
of the solid financial concerns of this section of the state.

	In politics the subject gives an uncompromising allegiance to the 
Republican party, and served for many years as treasurer of the village 
and also as treasurer of the school district. He and his wife are 
active and valued members of the Baptist church, and fraternally he is 
identified with the Masonic order, while he is also affiliated with the 
Order of the Eastern Star, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and its 
auxiliary, the Daughters of Rebekah; the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and its Degree of Honor; the Modern Woodmen of America, the 
Royal Neighbors and the Knights of the Maccabees.

	Mr. Hawkins was married to Miss Ethel M. Dart, who was born in 
the state of Illinois, and they have three children.