CHAPTER 1: EARLY YEARS (1814-1880)
"Nil Desperandum" motto of Sir John Hawkins, Tavistock England
1814 - (Jan. 24) John Hawkins (father of L.L. Hawkins) born, Poultney, Rutland, Vermont.
Son of Erastus and Elizabeth (Betty) Perry?? Hawkins. Married Elizabeth
Gouldsberry, (born Feb.3, 1821). Married (1841) Asenath H. Hoag (born 1814, died
1843, after birth of Theodore Perry Hawkins in Cleveland, Ohio)
1819 - (May 24) Mary McKee (Thompson) (mother of L.L.Hawkins), born Agnesville, or
Orrfield Place, on the Surgan Bon River, Ireland (County Down, obit.)
- Daughter of George and Nancy McKee, who came to the U.S. in 1836, eventually
to Cleveland, Ohio.
- Queen Victoria was born the same day. (verify)
- Married (Nov. 15, 1843) William Thompson. They a daughter Sara Jane (b. Dec. 14,
1832 or 7, Belfast, Ireland) - Sara later married Stephen A. Kinsey, founder of Genoa.
1842 - Mary McKee Thompson baptised in Mormon Church
1843 - (Oct 5) John Hawkins married his third wife, Mary McKee Thompson, a Mormon.
Mary had a daughter, Sara Thompson Kinsey (1836-1905), and John had a son,
Theodore Perry Hawkins (1843-1925). This new Hawkins family had three children:
Daniel R.(adopted)(1846-1927), Lester Leander (1848-1906) & William J. (1857-1923).
Daniel and Lester Leander were born in Cleveland, Ohio, where John had a furniture
business, and owned a prominent business block.
"Lot property left John H. in Cleveland. Sold property and all bought back watch.
200 ft. sq. YMCA blk on Cleveland, another piece of Euclid Ave."
" John Herrick and John H. in partnership in furniture business. Amassed fortune
from original plans John H. drew up." (Source: Reminiscences of WJH.)
1847 - Franktown established, 1st Morman settlement, Washoe Valley (all of present
Nevada was then Carson County, Utah Territory).
1848 - LLH born in Cleveland, weighing 14 llbs.
Cradle was taken to S.F., where it was reportedly in the Wells Fargo Museum?
Cradle had an arrow through it from an Indian attack (Source: story of Wiliam
J. Hawkins, II).
1850 - Morman Station founded by Salt Lake Mormons (became Genoa)
John Hawkins was baptized into the Mormon Church April 29, 1850 ("Endowed"
July, 1852)
1851 - Began further trek west, traveling by canel boat from
Cleveland to Pittsburgh, taking passage on the "Diadem" a river boat running west to
Cairo, Illinois. (LLH nearly fell off of boat, lost cap, story etc.) From Cairo family
traveled northwest on the Mississippi & Missouri rivers (Steamboat Robert Cambell)
to FT. LEAVENWORTH, Kansas. Here, they debarked and set up their wagons
(had projecting sides so as to accomodate a bed sidewise) Captain Phelps (a 49er)
headed the train of 60 wagons. John and Mary trained the oxen to get accustomed to
the work. Continuing by wagon on the Iowa side of the river to COUNCIL BLUFFS,
crossing by ferry to Nebraska shore. 6 weeks at camp at or near Omaha,
wagon train had grown to 300 wagons, all heading across plains. Up
Elkhorn and around Loup Fork of the PLATT. Crossed North Platt at FT.LARAMIE,
continuing west through South Pass, Wyoming to FT. BRIDGER. Supplies there. Rough
crossing through Wassatch Mountains, arriving in Salt Lake City in August. Incidents
along trail included giant buffalo herds, cholera, massacres by indians, cyclones,
prairie fires,
1851 - Arrived in Salt Lake City in August. John Hawkins built the first house in Salt Lake
City. (See: LLH letter to Dan Hawkins, Dec. 16, 1904)
1852 - John Hawkins "endowed into the Morman Church," at Salt Lake City
1853 - George S. Hawkins born in Salt Lake City
1854 - (June) "In June, 1854, the company of Mormons, headed by Elder Orson Hyde,
arrived in Carson Valley, and in the summer of 1855, Alexander Cowan and wife, now
Mrs. Sandy Bowers, came to Washoe Valley, and purchased the Bowers (??) Ranch
of Dodge & Campbell. John Hawkins, and others, also came to the valley and took up
ranches. (Source; History of Nevada , 1881)
1854- "Father (John Hawkins) was engaged in building a sawmill for Orson Hyde, near
Franktown and we lived in a tent up in the canyon until the snows came on."
(Source: Theodore Hawkins letter, 1910)
1855 - Alexander Cowan and wife, came to Washoe Valley.
Rude log cabins constructed by settlers.
- 1855 - Eilley Cowan was in Genoa at this time and knew the Hawkins family.
Territorial Enterprise, first published in Genoa
1856 - (July 4) Hawkins family moved from Salt Lake City to Morman Station (later Genoa,
Nevada). "We remained in Genoa until fall. There were about 200 people there. Then
we went to Washoe Valley and traded a yoke of oxen for a ranch with Alexander
Cowan." (Source: Theodore Hawkins letter, 1910)
- Lots were sold to John Hawkins. Hawkins and Kelly were neighbors in town
of Franktown, each owing 2 1/2 acres , lots 6 & 7, Oct. 31, 1856
- "Purchased 1/2, 2 1/2 Ranch No. 2, 160 acres" Later sold to James Sturdevant in
1857
1856 - "John Hawkins settled on 160 acres of unsurveyed land lying between Cowan's and
Franktown, and claimed it under squatter's rights. Hawkins, with G. Colman and C.
Layton of Ophir, laid claim to the waters of Ophir Creek and when Hawkins built his
sturdy wooden flume to carry water to his ranch little did he dream that a half century
later this same ditch and the water claim would become the basis of one of the most
bitter water suits in the valley - a legal battle that was to result in the death of one
litigant and the end of a dynasty for the other." (Source: Pioneers of the Ponderosa.)
"Hawkins built a good house and some barns and raised a good crop of vegetables
and hay. When the Mormon exodus from Washoe Valley took place in September,
1857, he gave the land to James Sturtevant for certain personal property."
(Source: Pioneers of the Ponderosa)
1857 - Alex Cowan, John Hawkins and others petitioned for road to Franktown, Wassau
Valley. (Source: History of Nevada, 1881, pp.624)
1857 - (Sept.) Brigham Young - call back - all left except Cowan and Hawkins family
"The recall of the Mormons by Brigham Young, in 1857, nearly depopulated the
thriving community of Franktown, leaving but two ladies in the settlement, Mrs.
John Hawkins, whose husband did not return with the others; and Mrs. Alexander
Cowan, who refused to accompany her husband back to the home of the
Mormondom." (Source: History of Nevada, 1881)
1857 - LLH began "common School", confined to winter months. "University of Hard
Knocks." (Source: "Colonel L.L. Hawkins," Portland, Its History and Builders.)
"His first teacher was Len Wines, afterward head of the famous Overland Stage
Company (Source: "Colonel L.L. Hawkins," Portland, Its History and Builders).
1857 - (Mar. 29). William John Hawkins born, first white child born in Washoe County (near
Franktown),in log home on property owned by Mrs. Alexander Cowan, later Mrs.
Samuel S.("Sandy") Bowers. The Bowers owned 10 ft. of the Comstock lode, and in
1860 made a vast fortune, traveled to Europe, bought extensively, and constructed
mansion on old Cowan property
PHOTOGRAPH: Bowers Mansion
1857 - (Spring) "Then we moved onto the place now known as theTwaddle Ranch, and
fenced and put into cultivation a piece of land and brought water from Leighton
Creek, now known as Aphir Creek for irrigation purposes."
(Source: LLH letter to Dan Hawkins, Dec. 16, 1904)
- LLH & WJH -Pony express riders
1858 - LLH worked for Peter Van Sickle (from Lake Bigler to Mt. Camp). Not paid for
years work, which made a lasting impression upon him. Sickle had promised
him a calf for his work, but when time for payment said the calf "had died."
- LLH began "common school" education (winters?)
1858 - (June 19) "Lucky Bill" (William Thorington) was hung.
"After the hanging of "Lucky Bill" we moved onto one of the Thorington ranches
on the river about four miles from Genoa and took charge of the dairy there."
(Source: Theodore Hawkins letter of 1910)
- Territorial Enterprise founded in Genoa, Mark Twain began career here.
1858 - Samuel Clemmens (Mark Twain) in Genoa and Carson City. Twain knew LL and WJH
"well." "Carson City was us," San would say.
1859-60 - Gold discovered at Comstock, June, 1859
- Severe winter - "Snowshoe Thompson" skied over drifts with a load of 100 lbs,
freight, mail. Cattle died. Granite face of Slide Mountain, behind Washoe City,
collasped, burying building
people in valley below. Mark Twain wrote of "Great Landslide Case"
"About '62 terrible cold winter, cattle froze, only few left. Last station on route to
mining district. Mother ran mule pack train to Placerville for supplies, stored
provisons for whole country. Took in milk pan of money per day."
(Source; Remin. W.J.H.)
1859 - Comstock Lode discovered. Lemuel S. Bowers ("Sandy") discovered gold in his
claim, next to claim of Mrs. Cowan. The two married, making them multi-millionairs.
- LLH "started out for himself" ("11 yrs. old").
1859 - (Nov. 3) Agnes Parson born, Douglas Co. Carson Valley
1860-66 - LLH worked for John Childs on his ranch, going to school at Kate Childs in
Jack's Valley.
- Pony express jobs with Col. Dosch (see newspaper article).
"He was one of the far-famed "pony express" riders in the prerailway days. He
- took the bag from "Snowshoe" Thompson at Hawkins' ranch and rushed it through
Carson Valley to Genoa."
(Source: "Colonel L.L. Hawkins," Portland, Its History and Builders)
NOTE: Pony Express, bet. St. Joseph Missouri -- 1, 966 mi.-- began 1860
average run was 75 mi. in 9 hrs. --
1860 - Pahute War. "All went to Placerville and stayed (until) late Spring of 1860.
"Settled on Hawkins Ranch, Alpine Co. in Spring. "Timber cut for miners.."
1861 - Mark Twain and his brother traveled west by overland stagecoach.
1861 - Bowers mansion constructed at cost of $400,000
1862 - Snow storm (see notes by Margaret Hawkins on life of WJH)
"Cattle froze, only a few left." Last station on route to mining district. Mother
ran mule pack train to Placerville for supplied, stored provisions for whole country.
Took in mike pan full of money per day." (WJH, "Remininiscences, 1923)
1863 - "I was the pony express rider into Nevada on the Overland Mail system from
Lake Bigler to the mountain camps." (Source:
NOTE: Pony Express service began on April 3, 1860, bet. St. Joseph Missouri and
San Francisco, CA. 1861 Wells Fargo took charge of western end of the route.
1864 - Mark Twain wrote for Territorial Enterprise,
1865 - Douglas County Court House (where Hawkins memorabilia kept) erected in 1865
1866 - LLH - began school at Oakland College School
- WJH - left home at 9 yrs. Herded cows for Peter Volume at head of Carson Valley"
($40/mo. plus board) (Source: WJH Reminisances.)
On vacation time, "break horses, split posts, drive logging teams, work in a sawmill.
1869 - LLH climbed "Hawkins Peak" above Hawkins Ranch. Inscribed: "L.L. Hawkins,
Age 21, Aug. 1869, STET." STET ("let it stand")
1870 - LLH was organizer of University trip into Yosemite. Joseph Le Conte wrote
about one of these trips in "Ramblings of a University Excursion Party,"
Le Conte descibed LLH as "strong, thick-set, almost herculean in build." When
L.L. departed the group, "everyone was sincerely affected. he had been the soul of
our party. I don't believe we could have gotten along without him. So generous, so
efficient, so thoroughly acquainted with camp and mountain life, he scents out a
trail with the instinct of a bloodhound. As he turned we all waved Hurrah! Hurrah! His
face flushed and his eyes filled: I know he was gratified with the heartiness of the
salute." (Source: Ramblings of a Univer. Excur. Party")
LLH met John Muir on this trip, and continued a friendship with him over the years.
Muir lectured later in Portland, and shared preservation efforts. His friendship with
Le Conte lasted throughout his life. (Source: "John Muir and the Pioneer
Conservationists of the Pacific Northwest," by Ronald Eber, 1993)
1866-1870 - Friendship with George Ainsworth led to meeting Captain J.C. Ainsworth
and eventually being asked to head Ainsworth's affairs in Portland, Oregon.
Ainsworth and Hawkins shared membership in the same Zeta Psi Fraternity).
1870 - John Churchill Ainsworth born, son of Capt. J.C. Ainsworth, in Portland. His
parents were Capt. John Commigers Ainsworth and Fannie Babbitt Ainsworth
1872/73 - WJH - worked 300 miles of stage lines from Carson City to Paramount, cowboy,
horse trainer (age 19), went to Lincoln Free School in San Francisco.
1873 - LLH graduated from Oakland College School. (later University of Cal.at Berkeley)
one of "Twelve Apostles" who included George J. Ainsworth, John N. Bolton, James
Herbert Budd, George Cunningham Edwards, Lester Leander Hawkins (Ph.B, CE.
1978) , Nathan Newmaark, Frank Otis, J.B. Reinstein, Franklin Rhoda, Ebenezer
Scott, Clarence Jesse Wetmore, Thomas Patterson Woodward (two were later
governors of California). Later, LLH received first graduate degree from the
University. (Source: Illustrated History of the University of California, 1895, pp.335,
347) "Leander L. Hawkins, Instructor in Mathematics and Surveying, 1873-1879, Ph.
B. University of California, 1873" (Source: Illustrated History of the University of
California,pp 335)
Graduating address by President Gilman: " ....With these external rites let us strive to
perpetuate the old spirit of the scholar, the spirit of labor and self-sacrifice, the love
of learning and culture, the desire to gather up the experience of the past for the
benefit of the future. With this high commission, the University of California sends
you forth, the first of its four-years classes. You are twelve in number: be jurors,
sworn to declare the truth as you find it; be apostles, bearing everywhere the
Master's lessons." pp 64.
PHOTOGRAPH: Class of 1873 - see An Illustrated History pp. 62
1873-4 -LLH taught mathematics and civil engineering at Oakland College. Did
considerable surveying: City of Genoa (1874), Monitor and in Portland.
1874 - LLH gave his father, John, a book by Joseph Le Conte, "Religion and Science."
- WJH graduated from Heald's International Business College in San Francisco.
- John Hawkins "removed to San Diego, Cal." "John Hawkins was a roamer. Mother
H worked the land.") (Source: WJH Reminiscences)
In 1882, "John Hawkins moved to San Francisco when health rendered it necessary
to seek medical aid." (Source: obit.)
1876?? - WJH began school started by his aunt, Sara Jane Kinsey, and met Agnes Parson
there when she was 14 yrs. old. Agnes boarded with Mrs Kinsey (Aunt Sara)
1877 - WJH graduated from Heald's Business College, San Francisco. 1875?
went back to Carson City and served time as a machinist and boiler maker to earn
money.
1879 - "A Deserved Appointment"
"Mr. L.L. Hawkins, a graduate of the University, Class of 1873, and since that time
Instructor in Mathematics and Surveying at the State University, has been appointed
an important position in the employment of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company,
and will leave this city for Portland on Monday next. Mr. Hawkins has been one of the
most valuable instructors that the University has had, and the notice of his appoint-
ment to a more lucrative position will be received with congratulations, mingled with
the regrets of his many friends."
(Source: Berkeley newspaper?, 1879)
1880 - WJH arrived in Portland with $75 in pockets.
1881 - "L.L. Hawkins (Agent for R.R. Thompson) office 31 1/2 Front; residence 181 Sixth,
S.W. corner, Yamhill (1881, Portland Directory)
1884 - "L.L. Hawkins - 70 Oak, real estate agent, residence same. (1884 Portland Directory)
1885 - "(Ainsworth & Co.) rms 72 Oak, Babbitt Residence/building(1885 Portland Directory)
Note: Col. E.B. Babbitt, father of Fannie Babbitt, who married J.C. Ainsworth.
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