Pvt. Orlando Sumner Hawkins, (USA)

Orlando Sumner Hawkins is the son of Elizabeth (Tavener) & Abel Merit Hawkins.

(Notes for Orlando's dad: Abel Merit Hawkins left the family in 1849 for the California Gold fields, but he disappeared.)

(Notes for Orlando's mom: Elizabeth TAVENER, born 31 Dec 1804 in Newton,Middlesex Co.,MA; died 7 May 1892 in Perry Twp.,Lake Co.,OH; buried in Perry Cemetery, Perry Twp.,Lake Co.,OH, daughter of Abraham TAVENER & Susannah BLUNDEN. Elizabeth eventually remarried after Abel Merit's disappearance. The family lore of Elizabeth remarrying a Mr. Parker or Parks was absolutely correct. Elizabeth did marry a Mr. Joshua Park in Lake County, Ohio. That is why Orlando was in Lake Co. Ohio long enough to marry Emeline Wildman. He was evidently there to visit his mother. Elizabeth's maiden name was Tavener.)

Orlando Sumner Hawkins married

(1) Emeline WILDMAN on 11 Sep 1867 in Lake County, Ohio;

(2) Mary Ellen SHAFFER on 15 May 1870 in Crown Point, Lake,IN ,

Mary Shaffer:
Born 1 Nov 1851 in Huntington, Lake, IN.
Died 16 May 1939 in Smith Center, Smith, KS.
Buried in Fairview Cem., Smith, KS.
Parents: George SHAFFER & Sarah SHIDLER.

Notes for Orlando Sumner HAWKINS:

Orlando S. Hawkins went to college in Meadville, PA. He was a friend of President McKinley. When McKinley was assassinated, O.S. Hawkins rode the train to Washington, DC to attend the funeral services.

O.S. Hawkins served in the Civil War and later obtained a disability pension. Prior to his death, he had to have his left arm amputated due to tuberculosis of the bone.

Orlando was visiting his brother, Newell "Newt" in Crown Point, IN, where he met his second wife, Mary Ellen Shaffer.

He had been married prior to his marriage to Mary Ellen Shaffer. His first wife was Emeline Wildman. Mary Jane has a copy of the divorce proceedings. He files for divorce on the grounds that she left him to live with a doctor in Lake Co. Ohio for the purpose of obtaining an abortion. She counter-files stating that he neglected her, was physically abusive, and spent the money she received from her father. The judge finds in favor of Emeline, and Orlando had to pay court costs. If he was such a scoundrel, he must have reformed, as he and Mary Ellen Shaffer had twelve children and she always spoke of him in a very loving manner.

O.S. Hawkins Land Entry File located in National Archives, Washington, DC. Copy in possession of Mary Jane (Hill) McIntire, Salina, KS.

Smith County Pioneer, Smith Co, KS Thursday, 15 Feb. 1906:
-----------------------------------------------------
O.S. Hawkins Gone, After a long gallant fight against disease, that pioneer settler and big hearted citizen, O.S. Hawkins, of Washington township, page up the struggle for life and passed peacefully to the great beyond early this morning.

His funeral will be held at the family home, Saturday, February 17, at 11 o'clock a.m. under the auspices of the Odd Fellows, of which order the deceased was a member for more than 25 years. Interment will take place at the Fairview cemetery north of this city.

And thus from the busy stage of life is another of our generous, big hearted citizens gathered to his fathers. For him life's fitful fever is ended. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
-----------------------------------------------------

Smith County Pioneer, Smith Co, KS, Thursday, 22 Feb. 1906:
-----------------------------------------------------
Obituary -- Orlando S. Hawkins was born in South Hadley, Mass., November 13, 1839 and died at his home in Washington township, Smith county, Kans., Thursday morning, February 15, 1906 aged 68 years, 3 months, and 1 day.

He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving 3 years in the Second Wisconsin Volunteers and receiving an honorable discharge. After the war he married Miss Mary Shaffer and to this union twelve children were born, all of them and his wife surviving him, except a son Orlando who died in 1896. All the children are near the old home except two married daughters, Mrs. Saphira Morgan and Mrs. Buelah Morgan who both live in northeastern Nebraska. The deceased came to Kansas in 1876, homesteading the farm on which he died. He was a member of the Odd Fellow's lodge for over 25 years and his funeral which occurred last Saturday was held under the auspices of that order.

The funeral services at the family home were conducted by Rev. A.B. Roberts and the remains then conveyed to the Fairview cemetery where they were met by the local G.A.R. lodge and in the presence of the stricken relatives and hundred of sorrowing friends the last sad rites were performed and the world has seen the last of a loving husband and father and a kind, charitable neighbor and friend.

(Note: Original handwritten obit. in Agnes Dick's possession Sept. 1987. Mentions brother, Newt Hawkins of Brookfield, Missouri.)
---------------------------------------------------

Orlando Sumner Hawkins was listed twice in the 1860 Columbia Co. WI census (1) He is listed in the home of Daniel Burlington as age 19, farm laborer, born in Maine, pg 94 (2) He is listed in the Frederick Downey home as age 20, farm laborer, born in MA, pg. 408

=============================================

Children of
Orlando Sumner &
Mary Ellen (Shaffer) Hawkins:

=============================================

1) George Newell HAWKINS:
born 31 Mar 1871 in LaPorte,LaPorte,IN; died 7 Mar 1953 in Boise,Boise,ID; buried in Atwood,Rawlins,KS.

2) Sophia Etta (HAWKINS) Morgan: born 8 Feb 1873 in ,Lake,IN; died 5 Nov 1918 in Winnebago,Thurston,NE; buried in Fairview Cem.,Smith,KS.

3) Clara Elizabeth (HAWKINS) Burdell: born 27 Jan 1875 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 26 Apr 1964 in Emmett,Gem county ID; buried in Emmett,Gem county ID;

4) Jacob Hays HAWKINS: born 14 Dec 1876 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 12 Jan 1947 in Longmont,Boulder,CO; buried 15 Jan 1947 in Mountain View Cem.,Longmont,Boulder,CO.

5) Orlando Daley HAWKINS: born 30 Mar 1879 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 30 Nov 1886 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; buried in Fairview Cem.,Smith,KS.

6) Lucetta (HAWKINS) Graham: born 29 Jan 1881 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 22 Mar 1962 in Salem,Marion,OR; buried in Salem,Marion,OR.

7) Beulah (HAWKINS) Morgan: born 25 Feb 1883 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 28 Jul 1975 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; buried in Cora Cem.,Smith,KS.

8) Mary HAWKINS: born 25 Feb 1885 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 24 Aug 1987 in Smith Center,Smith Co.,KS; buried in Fairview Cem.,Smith Center, Smith Co.,KS.

9) Cynthia "Kate" (HAWKINS) Mecham: born 5 Jul 1887 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 15 Dec 1981 in ,,CA; buried in Santa Margarita,,CA.

10) Pearl Leone (HAWKINS) Luther: born 10 Aug 1889 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 13 May 1933 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; buried in Fairview Cem.,Smith,KS.

11) Benjamin Harrison HAWKINS: born 21 May 1892 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 8 Feb 1963 in Bloominton,Franklin Co.,NE; buried in Maple Grove Cem.,Bloomington,Franklin Co.,NE.

12) Wardie Morton HAWKINS: born 7 Oct 1894 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; died 25 Jul 1971 in Smith Center,Smith,KS; buried in Fairview Cem.,Smith,KS.

Hawkins, Orlando S. BATTLE UNIT NAME: 2nd Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry SIDE: Union COMPANY: H
SOLDIER'S RANK IN: Private SOLDIER'S RANK OUT: Private ALTERNATE NAME: FILM NUMBER: M559 ROLL 13 PLAQUE NUMBER: NOTES: none