1925
April 9, 1937
The following biography was from 1926, courtesy Rootsweb:
John R. Hawkins was long a personality in transportation affairs, and for eighteen years, Everett has claimed him as a citizen. He has stimulated its development along several lines and is now a dealer in automobiles. He was born September 21, 1856, in Hannibal, Missouri, and his parents, Jamison Fielding and Sarah Ann (Smith) Hawkins were natives of Kentucky. They settled in Missouri and in 1849 the father joined the rush of gold seekers to California. He returned to Missouri at the end of a few years and was the builder of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, serving for many years on its board of directors. He was a steamboat owner and also engaged in merchandising and farming. He was a man of large affairs and never failed to accomplish what he undertook, wielding a potent and beneficial influence.
John R. Hawkins attended the public schools of his native city and in 1874 was graduated from Hannibal College. He began his business career in the construction department of the Southern Pacific Railroad and showed marked aptitude for the work. He was superintendent of construction for the Mexican International Railway, building the line, and for five years was with that corporation. Later he went to Chester, Illinois as division superintendent of the Wabash Railroad and filled the position for ten years. On the expiration of that period he entered the service of the Detroit, Toledo and Irontown Railroad Company in the capacity of general superintendent and was next superintendent of the Memphis division of the 'Frisco system with which he was connected for three years. He then accepted the offer of general superintendent, tendered him by the Mobile, Jackson and Kansas City Railroad. He was afterward superintendent of the Beaufort division of the Norfolk and Southern Railroad Company and acted in that capacity for five years. His identification with transportation affairs covered three decades and his ability placed him with the most efficient railroad executives of the country. In 1908 he came to Everett and soon made his influence felt in business circles of the city, joining A. W. Barber and George A. Brown in organizing the Builders' Supply Company, of which he was treasurer for ten years. He next became president and treasurer of the Everett Fruit Products Company and filled those offices for a year. In November, 1923, Mr. Hawkins purchased the business of the C. V. Allen Motor Company and has since devoted his attention to the automotive trade. He handles the Hudson, Essex and Packard cars, and his repair shop is well equipped, turning out first class work. The business is in a prosperous condition and his sales are steadily increasing.
In 1900 Mr. Hawkins was married in Detroit, Michigan, to Miss Nellie J. Ford, a daughter of Ira C. Ford, of Fenton, that state. Mr. Hawkins is not bound by party ties, but casts his ballot for the men and measures that he deems will best conserve the public weal. He belongs to the Everett Automobile Club and the Automotive Trades Association. He is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Masonry has attained the thirty-second degree. A tireless worker, Mr. Hawkins has made the most of life, discharging every duty and obligation to the best of his ability, and his friends are legion.
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