Albert R. Hawkes, for many years largely engaged in the manufacture of clothing, but now
living in retirement in Windham, was born in this town, July 21,1833, son of Samuel R. and Hannah (Morrill) Hawkes.
His family has been American for nearly three centuries. If began with Adam Hawkes, who came from England to this
country, landing at Salem, Mass., June 12, 1630. Adam subsequently built a house on an eminence called Close Hill,
by the Saugus River. Here his son, John Hawkes, the next in line of descent, was born. The family was continued
by two Ebenezers, father and son, to James Hawkes, Sr., who was the great-grandfather of Albert R. Hawkes. In 1738
James removed to a part of Massachusetts, on the Presumpscott River, in the vicinity of the present village of
Westbrook, Me. He built the first saw-mill in that locality, and with it was profitably engaged in the manufacture
of lumber until his death. James Hawkes, Jr., Albert's grandfather, spent the larger part of his life in Windham,
engaged in mercantile business and farming. He was an active, enterprising man, and lived to the age of ninety
years. In politics he was an old-time Whig. Both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Robinson, were
Quakers in their religious belief.
Samuel R. Hawkes, a native of Windham, born on the homestead in 1799, was for many years a merchant of this place.
He subsequently engaged in the lumber business at Great Falls, Gorham, Me., in partnership with John Lindsay, under
the firm name of Hawkes & Lindsay. This connection lasted until his demise, September 3, 1847, in the prime
of a vigorous manhood. While yet in trade he bought a farm of one hundred acres in Windham, which was his place
of residence many years. It is now occupied by his son Albert, the subject of this sketch. In March, 1827, he married
Hannah Morrill, of Windham, and became the father of nine children. Of these eight are now living; namely, David
R., Charles M., Albert R., Lydia T., Samuel, Hannah M., Huldah W., and James F. David R., born April 21, 1830,
now residing in Somerville, Mass., married Sarah J. Maybury, and has two children -Edwin E. and Eliza F. Charles
M. married Susan A., daughter of Sir William Whitney, and has five children, namely: Dr. William W., of New Haven,
Conn.; Charles B., an attorney in New York; Samuel, an attorney in Kansas; Susan Gertrude; and George P., who is
carrying on a general banking business in New Haven, Conn. Lydia T., born June 20, 1837, resides in Windham. Samuel,
a farmer, born September 13, 1840, married Caroline M., daughter of Timothy Skillings, of Westbrook, and is the
father of five children -Hannah, Allen T., Charles M., Annie H., and Julia M.; Hannah M., born September 5, 1842;
is the wife of John C. Cobb, of Portland, and has seven children, namely: Albert C., who married Annie Littlefield,
of Bridgton, and has three children Frederick H., Grace M., and Helen M. ; Frederick H., who is in business with
his father; Frank W., a merchant in Conway, N.H.; Mary A.; Grace H., who married William Bailey, of Portland, June
4, 1895 Helen M.; and John C. Huldah W., born March 25, 1844, is a teacher of languages in Portland, but makes
Windham her home. James F., born July 31, 1846, who is a member of the firm of Skillin, Hawkes & Co., of Portland,
wholesale grocers, married Ardella H. Eames, of Portland, and has one child, Charlie E.
Albert R. Hawkes, after completing his education at the Gorham High School, learned the shoemaker's trade in Windham,
where he worked for two years. He continued at his trade a short time longer in Providence, R.I., after which,
in 1855, he bought a half-interest in a grocery store and a clothing factory in Gorham, and, with his partner,
Mr. Parker, conducted these places for seven years under the firm name of Parker & Hawkes. Then, purchasing
his partner's interest, Mr. Hawkes managed the business alone until 1864, when he was burned out. In 1865, in company
with William H. White as junior member of the firm, be engaged in lumbering at Great Falls, now known as North
Gorham, continuing therein until the dissolution of the firm three years later. In 1869 and 1870 Mr. Hawkes erected
two factories, one at Windham and one at Casco, for the Portland Packing Company. Later for his own use he built
a factory for the manufacture of clothing, and resumed his old business, working for Boston parties for about seven
years. From 1874 until 1879 Mr. Hawkes and his family resided in Deering, that his children might have the better
educational advantages of that town, but continued his business in Windham in the mean time.
He then removed to the old home farm, which he had purchased in 1856. On this occasion he was accompanied by his
mother, who there after made her residence with him until her death, November 13, 1882, having been faithful to
the memory of her husband thirty-five years. In 1880 Mr. Hawkes was employed by his father's old partner, John
Lindsay, who had become entirely blind, to look after his interests and settle up his property, a work in which
he was engaged six years. Since that time he has lived retired from active business pursuits, giving his exclusive
attention to the care of his hundred-acre farm, on which he raises large crops of hay.
Mr. Hawkes was married June 4, 1857, to Sarah M., daughter of James Whipple, general manager of the powder works
at Windham. Of their children two are now living, namely Harry H., born July 29, 1859, who is engaged in a wholesale
glove business for a New York firm; and Emily W., born June 6, 1862.
Religiously, Mr. Hawkes is liberal in his views, being a Unitarian. In politics he is a sound Republican. He is
a member of Presumpscott Lodge, No. 127, A. F. & A.M., of Windham; of Eagle Chapter, Westbrook; and of Portland
Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templars, of Portland |
