My Genealogy Hound

James D. Hawkins, sheriff, is a native of this county, and was born September 1, 1843. His father, Isaac, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., and for many years was a steamboat clerk. When a young man he came to Van Buren, and he married Susan M. Wasson, at Palmyra, Mo., where she was born. For some time he served as constable of Van Buren. He died in 1858, and his wife in 1881. They had five children, of whom four are living: James D., Josephine (wife of G. W. Wines), Harry and Holdena White. James D. was reared and educated in Van Buren, and was an apprentice at the harness and saddler’s trade, at which he worked until the war. In 1861 he enlisted as private in Carroll’s company, under Gen. Pierce, and after the company disbanded, subsequent to the battle of Oak Hill, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-second Regiment Arkansas Infantry. He was wounded at Prairie Grove, December 7, 1862, and was disabled until the following March, but afterward was in the battles at Helena, Little Rock and Camden. June 9, 1865, he was paroled at Shreveport. Until 1868 he drove cattle in the Indian Territory, and then returned to his birth-place. In 1870 he married Sarah Mooney, daughter of W. B. and Nancy (MaLoy) Mooney. She was born in Texas in 1854, and bore him seven children: William, James, Gertrude, Maurice, Ella, Philip and George. From 1882 until 1886 he sold groceries in Van Buren, and was then elected sheriff of the county by a majority of 267. In September, 1888, he was re-elected by a majority of 327, which fully illustrates his capabilities as an officer. In April, 1886, he was elected mayor of Van Buren, and filled that position of trust in a faithful manner. He was elected sheriff in the following September, and resigned the office of mayor. He is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Greeley. His wife and children belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the former is a member of the Ladies’ Aid Society. He belongs to the K. of P., A. O. U. W., and American Legion of Honor. He is a prosperous business man, and a stockholder in the Van Buren Ice and Coal Company.