Dr. William Joseph Hawkins

https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/hawkins-william-joseph

William Joseph Hawkins, physician and railroad official, was born on his father's plantation in Franklin (now Vance) County. His grandfather was Revolutionary War Colonel Philemon Hawkins II and his father was John Davis Hawkins, one of the largest planters in his district; his mother was Jane A. Boyd of Mecklenburg County, Va. For several years William studied at home under tutors and at the Spring Grove Academy in Franklin County. In 1837 he entered The University of North Carolina, but transferred after two years to William and Mary College, graduating with distinction in 1840. In 1842 he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and began practicing at Ridgeway, N.C.

Hawkins quickly developed a large medical practice and by 1850 owned twenty-five slaves and real estate valued at $13,000. Soon, however, he became absorbed in the business world. Following his father's interest, he invested in the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad and was appointed to its board of directors. In 1855 he became president of the railroad.

Four years of heavy traffic, accentuated by the inability to maintain rails and rolling stock properly, had reduced the Raleigh and Gaston to a deplorable condition by 1865. To revitalize the line, Hawkins conceived the idea of acquiring and completing the Chatham Railroad and of leasing the North Carolina Railroad and several others to form the Raleigh and Augusta Airline. In October 1869, he offered an annual rental of $240,000 for a twenty-year lease of the North Carolina Railroad. The directors were receptive to the offer, but the Raleigh Sentinel contended that the figure was ridiculously low and termed it "Plundering the State." The stockholders became convinced that Hawkins, W. W. Holden, and M. S. Littlefield were plotting to defraud them and in November voted against the lease. The inability to acquire the North Carolina Railroad defeated Hawkins's plan, but the Seaboard Airline grew out of his concept. By 1873 the Seaboard completely controlled the Raleigh and Gaston, and the friends of the North Carolina Railroad accused Hawkins of selling out to the Virginia-based railroad. Soon the Seaboard was selling tickets from Boston to Atlanta. Hawkins remained president of the Raleigh and Gaston until rheumatism forced his retirement in October 1875.

Hawkins was also a large stockholder in and a director of the Raleigh National Bank, and in 1870 he was instrumental in the founding of the Citizens National Bank of Raleigh. He became its president in 1890 and served until his death. From 1881 to 1891 he was a trustee of The University of North Carolina. He died in Philadelphia, where he had gone for medical treatment.

On 4 Jan. 1844 Hawkins married Mary Alethea Clark, daughter of David Clark of Halifax County; they had two sons, Colin M. and Marmaduke J., before her death in September 1850. On 27 Dec. 1855 Hawkins married Mary's sister, Lucy Norfleet Clark; they had two daughters, Louise and Alethea. The second Mrs. Hawkins died on 9 Oct. 1867, and on 12 May 1869 Hawkins married Mary Ann White, daughter of Andrew B. White of Pottsville, Pa.; they had one daughter, Lucy C.

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Dr. William Joseph Hawkins was born 27 May 1819 in Franklin Co., NC, and died 28 Oct 1894 in Philadelphia, PA. He married (1) Mary Althea Clark Bet. 04 - 09 Jan 1844, daughter of David Clark and Louisa Norfleet. She was born 11 Jan 1825, and died 09 Sep 1850. He married (2) Lucy Norfleet Clark 27 Dec 1855 in Warren Co., NC, daughter of David Clark and Louisa Norfleet. She was born 1827, and died 09 Oct 1867. He married (3) Mary Alethea White Bef. 12 May 1869, daughter of Andrew B. White. She was born in of Pottsville, PA, and died 12 May 1869.

In 1842, he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Department. Before 1852 he became a physician at Ridgeway, NC. About that time he took an interest in the management of Railways. In 1853, he became Director of Raleigh & Gaston Railroad Co. In 1855, he was the President of Raleigh & Gaston Railroad Co. He resigned in 1875. In 1872 he organized Citizens National Bank, Raleigh, NC. He was first its VP, then its President.

Children of William Hawkins and Mary Clark are:

i. William Hawkins, born Abt. 1845.

ii. John Hawkins, born Abt. 1847.

iii. Colin MacKenzie Hawkins, born 26 Dec 1847; died 01 Jun 1914. He married Janet Hogg; born 28 Dec 1852; died 18 Feb 1928.

iv. Mary Hawkins, born Abt. 1849.

+ v. Marmaduke James Hawkins, born 05 Sep 1850; died 1920.

Children of William Hawkins and Lucy Clark are:

i. Alethea Hawkins. She married Jeff M. Lamar; born in Monticello, FL.

ii. Lucy Clark Hawkins. She married Sherwood Higgs.

+ 388 iii. Louisa Hawkins.

Child of William Hawkins and Mary White is:

i. Lucy A.Hawkins. She married Sherwood Higgs.

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