JAMES W. HAWKINS, a son of Robert Hawkins, whose biography precedes this, was born in Benton County in 1844, received a good common schooling, and with the exception of a few years while in the service of his country, has been engaged in farming. In 1862, he became a member of the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Mounted Infantry and served three years; participated in a number of severe campaigns and battles, and was wounded at Chickamauga, and in 1865 returned home, where he recommenced farming. He married Miss Mary M. Switzer, daughter of Peter and Katie Switzer, in 1871, and by her is the father of two sons and two daughters. Mr. Hawkins is one of the influential Republicans of western Benton County, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Submitted by: Adina Dyer
Historical and Biographical Sketches, Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana, 1883, pg. 387 (All Hawkins bios are from Pine Township.)
JOHN HAWKINS, brother of Benjamin Hawkins, of Fowler, and Robert Hawkins, of Pine township, and son of Levi and Mary (Evens) Hawkins, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1825, and when three years old moved with his parents to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he was reared to manhood. Receiving but limited educational advantages, he chose farming as his employment through life, and in 1850 was married to Miss Margaret Sheetz, daughter of John and Isabel (Parker) Sheetz. Two years after this event, he removed to Benton County, where he has since resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Hawkins is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the parents of a family of five children. They own a fine body of land, consisting of 520 acres, and are among the most respected residents of the township.
Submitted by: Adina Dyer
Historical and Biographical Sketches, Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana, 1883, pg. 387 (All Hawkins bios are from Pine Township.)
JOHN R. HAWKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Benton County, Ind., in 1852, and is a son of Robert and Sarah A. (Carter) Hawkins. After receiving a good education, he embarked in farming, and now possesses a well-improved farm of 533 acres. Mr. Hawkins is one of the progressive citizens of his township, and favors the advancement of all laudable public enterprises. In politics, he is a warm adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and has ever been identified with its best interests. To his marriage with Miss Sarah McKinnis, which occurred in 1881, one child has been born. Mrs. Hawkins is a daughter of Phillip and Rach (Wolfer) McKinnis, one of the prominent families of Warren County.
Submitted by: Adina Dyer
Historical and Biographical Sketches, Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana, 1883, pg. 387 (All Hawkins bios are from Pine Township.)
John Peterson made his home in Fowler, Indiana around 1880-1881. John was born on January 4, 1858 in Sweden. John is the son of Peter Peterson and Anna Operson of Sweden. At the age of twenty-two, John came to the United Stated from Gothenburg, Sweden on May 7, 1880. He first arrived in New Yok City and traveled west and settled in Fowler. It is not known why John decided to come to Fowler, Indiana. Soon after arriving in Fowler John began working for Jeffers cattle ranch in Fowler. John became a United States citizen on November 6, 1882. John married Christina Josephine Wiger of Otterbein on February 19, 1884. C. Josephine was born on May 11, 1854 in Sweden and came to the United States in late 1880 and settled in Otterbein. C. Josephine is the daughter of John Wiger and Louise Donaldson of Sweden. John and C. Josephine are parents of three children; Ida born in 1884, married Charles Raatz in 1904, married Floyed Lindamood in 1927,
died in 1944. Edward born in 1887, married Sarah Edna Fox in 1910, died in 1959. Arther born in 1890 and died in 1896. After many years of cattle ranching John retired due to a leg injury and stated a loan business which he worked out of his home. John become a member of the Knights of Pythias, Prairie Lodge #213 in Fowler in 1891. In October 1925 John and his wife moved to Attica in Fountain County to live with their children. John's wife C. Josephine died on January 26, 1926 at her son Edward's home in Attica. John died on January 27, 1927 in Attica. John and C. Josephine are both buried in Fowler Cemetery in Fowler.
Submitted by: Mark Peterson