Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 764. JAMES H. HAWKINS is a lumberman and stockman of Crook county, who has achieved prosperity in his labors since coming here. His mills are located about twenty miles above Prineville on the Ochoco. His father, Thomas D. Hawkins, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and removed to Arkansas when a lad of twelve years of age. Being left an orphan when quite young, he had to make his own way in the world and early learned to meet adversity. When the Rebellion broke out, his sympathies were with the union and the result was that he had to leave that portion of Arkansas where he was living. On account of this, he lost all his property. He joined the First Missouri Cavalry and served during the entire war, being under General Blunt much of the time. He was in seventy-two regular battles, among them being Pea Ridge and Vicksburg. He had two horses shot from under him, three bullets through his hat and many through his clothes. However, he escaped injury. For two years he was a scout and rendered invaluable services to the army in this capacity. In 1886, he came to Oregon and remained here until his death. He had married Cynthia Hughes, a native of Tennessee, who had journeyed to Arkansas with her parents when a child. In 1863, she went to Missouri and there remained about a year, then returned to Arkansas. Our subject was educated at Rockbridge, Missouri, then engaged in lumbering in the same state. In 1886, he came to Union county, Oregon, and the next year, went to Boise county, Idaho, where with his father and brother, he built a sawmill. For three years they operated that plant, then came on to Oregon and in 1894, erected a mill on Combs flat and also bought the Marshall mill. In 1895 he bought another mill. In 1899 he sold out this property and came to his present location and erected a new mill. Shortly afterwards, he purchased another mill located nearby and in company with his brother, W. J., he has continued in the operation of this since. They own a section of fine land and have two hundred head of cattle in addition to the two mills. They supply Prineville and the surrounding country with lumber and are doing a splendid business. In 1893, Mr. Hawkins married Miss Maty Thomason, a native of Arkansas. She came to Oregon with her parents in 1886. To this marriage seven children have been born, Andrew, Alta, Mamie, Henry, Roy, Willie and Pearl. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the I.O.O.F., the M.W.A. and the R.N.A. In addition to his other qualifications, Mr. Hawkins possessed a splendid ability in the mechanical line and is a machinist of much skill. He has been able to meet and solve, all the various and intricate problems that arise in frontier and commercial sawmilling. He has shown himself a master of the business through and through for he has won a splendid success and is becoming one of the worthy and well-to-do men of the country. He stands well, has many friends, and is a representative man. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.