JAMES HAWKINS

JAMES HAWKINS, deceased, who was the first man to settle at or near the present thriving village of Shelby, was a native of England, born December 9, 1811. When a young man he went to sea, following the life of a sailor for many years. He visited every port along the coast, both of North and South America. He served through the Mexican war, and also in the civil war of this country. Up to the time of his settling down on the banks of Silver Creek, in Shelby County, Iowa, his career had been an eventful one, full of stirring scenes and thrilling adventures. He entered his land in Shelby County in 1855, the same being described as section 33, township 78, and range 40, upon which oh the village plat of Shelby was surveyed in 1868-'69. Mr. Hawkins came to this land to live upon and improve it. In 1865 he erected a rude log cabin and lived in it until within the past few years, when he built a fine farm house which he made his home until overtaken very suddenly by death. He was unmarried and was held in high esteem by every one within the circle of his acquaintance. He was a man of firm belief in his convictions of right and wrong. In his business transactions he was strictly upright with all. He died of apoplexy, June 24, 1888.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 304-305. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.