Tribute to Benjamin Franklin Hawkins   Abstracted from Address given 02 May 1891 by Hon. J. W. Ferris at a meeting of the Bar in the courthouse in Waxahachie - before an audience of ladies and gentlemen who filled the entire hall. [Source: Ellis County Memorial and Biographical History, Lewis Publishing Co.Chicago, Ill. 1892] Benjamin Franklin Hawkins was born 28 Jan. 1828 in Shelbyville, Ind., son of William Hawkins and Anna Eddy. His father, an attorney, moved his family soon afterward to La Porte near Lake Michigan where Frank grew up. At age 16 he was elected County Clerk and served for several years. In 1848, attracted by the promise of large donations of land to the colonists of Peters Colony, the family settled on Waxahachie Creek in what was then Navarro County - Frank receiving 640 acres of land as head of family. He built a cabin and cultivated a few acres in a country then still infested by Indians, a home of wild game and only a trailway leading from Dallas to Austin. In 1950 when Ellis County was created, Hawkins was one of the Commissioners. At the first election he was made Co. Clerk and his father Chief Justice of the county. From that time until his death he held the same office - 42 years - with the exception of two terms during the reconstruction period. He was also Justice of the Peace and for a long time (as deputy) did all the work of the District Clerk. During the period of the Civil War, he yielded to the demand that he stay at home to help maintain law and order...looking after the weak and homeless and providing necessities for families of absent soldiers. The full value of his services will never be known. For 40 years, Frank was a member of the Metodist Episcopal Church South - serving most of that time as Sunday School Superintendent. He was also a member of high standing in the Masonic fraternity in Waxahachie. At home he was most honored and appreciated by his devoted wife and children. His death is an irreparable loss not only to his family but to members of thes Bar, the officers of the County and the people.  Hawkins married Miss Mary A. Pinnell Feb. 24, 1848 in La Porte. Their children: Alice T., m. J. F. Mulkey of Dallas Martha E., m. W. A. Calfee of Waxahachie Mary M., m/1 John B. Dale; m/2 Mitch Gray. Eddy P., m. Nella L. Carson Emma E., m. C. A. Arnold Frank Lee, Waxahachie attorney Memorial Service - B. F. Hawkins Waxahachie Mirror, May 8, 1891 The Methodist Church began to fill rapidly  for tthis special service in memory of Bro. Hawkins. The seat long occupied by him by him was empty and draped in black, with additional seats reserved for the widow and other members of the family. After appropriate music, Rev W. H. Berry of the C. P. Church read the 90th Psalm, followed by a prayer offered by Rev.  John  H. Allen of Honey Grove.  Resolutions of respect followed. Rev. Allen took for his text: "If a man die will he live again?"  Mr. Allen is well known to older citizens of Waxahachie since he once taught school and for some time was of pastor of the church here.   Copyright © 2008-2017, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:20:01 MDT