James Martin Hawkins

James Martin Hawkins

James Martin Hawkins was educated in the hog and hominy and hickory stick schools of Glaize Township, Missouri and labored on his father's pioneer farm. When his father died in 1859, he at only 12 years of age became the head of the house for his mother. Considered too young for military service, he, because of his strong determination and insistence, enlisted anyway in 1862 at the age of 14. He rode southwest with Union Lt. Colonel S.N. Wood's battalion in company C, 6th Cavalry Missouri Volunteers. General Sterling Price's rebel columns were first engaged near Marshfield, Missouri and then again at Sugar Creek near the Arkansas state line. Eventually, having pushed into Helena, Arkansas, James was wounded and because of his disability, discharged from service. Upon returning home, he labored on the farm, but when General Sterling Price launched his raid into Missouri in 1864, James re-enlisted at Linn Creek and was mustered into Company G, 45th Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry. Several hard skirmishes were fought before he was discharged from the service on June 29, 1865.

After the war, his mother removed the family to Texas and later died on the way back to Missouri. He married Julia Ann Martin when he returned to Miller County, Missouri and subsequently raised 12 children. James Hawkins married Mariah Catherine Graham Wall on November 21, 1918, after their spouses each died. They were divorced April 1, 1924 in Camden County, Missouri. Family stories say his children and her children were the precipitating factor. She had a prenuptial agreement and received a cash settlement of $1,000 when the divorce was final. James Hawkins was very influential in southwestern Miller County. He also was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic William Hawkins Post #425 in Brumley, Missouri following the Civil War. Photographs and information submitted by Tim Hawkins.

James Martin Hawkins

William Hawkin GAR Post #425, Brumley, Missouri