Representative William W. Hawk View All Years

HON. DR. WILLIAM W. HAWK.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to draft and present resolutions commemorating the life, character, and services of the Honorable Dr. William W. Hawk, late a member of the House of Representatives in the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth General Assemblies, beg leave to submit the following report:

Dr. William W. Hawk was born in Ohio, November 26, 1843, and died at the home of his daughter, Nellie (Mrs. O. H. Witmer), in Newton, September 15, 1914.

In 1870 he married Miss Eleanor J. Johnson, who died in February, 1913. To them two children were born,—Charles, who died in 1895, and Nellie, who survives him. He is survived by three brothers, Dr. J. W. of Green River, Wyoming; Z. T. of Denison, Iowa, and J. T. of What Cheer, Iowa, and three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Maleby, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Emma H. Dugger, and Mrs. Susie B. Fair, both of Denver, Colo., and by four grandchildren.

He lived a beautiful and useful life, full to the overflowing with activity in every direction. Coming to Iowa with his parents when quite young, he worked hard to secure an education and fit himself for his life’s work. At the age of eighteen he heard the call of his country and enlisted in Co. E, 33d Iowa Inf. He served three years and during those years showed the spirit of a good soldier and a true patriot.

All his life he was a lover of his flag and with his beloved wife did much to fasten the spirit of patriotism among the younger people. He was a faithful member of the Grand Army, and one of the most touching sights at his funeral was the escort of his old comrades which met his body at the station, at Colfax, accompanying it to the church and afterwards to the cemetery. Returning from the war, he taught school, thus securing funds with which to pursue his professional studies. He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, and graduated after a full course. He then began a life of beneficence and tender ministry which proved a blessing and help to all with whom he came in contact. He settled in Jasper county and in 1876 commenced his career. For forty years he was considered the friend and physician of almost the whole northern part of the county and there are hundreds who remember him as a skillful and conscientious physician. He attained eminence in his profession and won a high place in the regard of his fellow practitioners. In 1890, he settled in Colfax and took his place as a leading citizen and physician there. He was a friend of all and those who knew him as their doctor knew him also as their warm and trusted friend. Old and young turned to him for counsel and help, and he never failed to give himself freely to those who needed his aid. He widened his activities by serving his state in the legislature, serving for two terms, the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth terms of the General Assembly.

He was a member of the Masonic lodge from early manhood. For five and a half years he was postmaster at Colfax and discharged his duties with the same integrity and ability which had been among his characteristics. In 1913 he resigned owing to failing health, being released in July of that year. He went west in search of improvement and with his sister, Mrs. Dugger, traveled in Colorado, Wyoming, California, and Arizona. He gained but little benefit from this change and in May of last year returned to Jasper county, making his home with his daughter in Newton. Here for five months he lived a quiet and patient life, suffering greatly, but never complaining. He was so quiet and kind, that none would think of him as a great sufferer, unless they were acquainted with the fact that a chronic asthma and bronchitis robbed him of health and rest. His presence was always like sunshine, and his strong and lovely character came to its best during these months of trial and suffering.

He was taken seriously ill on the 13th of September and passed away late at night on the 15th.

A short and impressive funeral service was conducted by Dr. G. C. Williams at the home at 9 o’clock Friday morning. Miss Miles sang beautifully Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar.”

The funeral party then went to Colfax at 10:10 where at 2 o’clock the final services were held in the Christian church conducted by Rev. LeRoy Munyon and Dr. G. C. Williams, both paying high tribute to the life and work of Dr. Hawk. The Grand Army acted as escort to the church and from there to the cemetery where enshrouded with Old Glory, he was tenderly laid to rest beside his beloved wife and son.

“Good night, beloved Father, Brother, Friend,

May you keep your dear love for us as we will ever keep ours for thee,

And in some brighter clime

Tell us ‘Good Morning.’”

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in his death the state has lost a most worthy citizen, a conscientious and honorable man, and we hereby extend our sympathy to his only beloved daughter, who has lost a devoted father, and be it

Further Resolved, That the chief clerk be instructed to send an engrossed copy of these resolutions to her, and that the same be spread upon the Journal of the House.

J. E. CRAVEN,

W. F. MOORE,

E. K. GREENE,

Committee.

Adopted unanimously.