Alameda County
Biographies
JAMES HAWLEY
JAMES HAWLEY. A very familiar name in Alameda county’s early history is that of James Hawley, who is one
of the few survivors of those who came around the Horn and settled in California
in 1849. He was born in Birmingham, England, September 14, 1822, the
son of Thomas and Phoebe Hawley, and he came with his mother and the rest of
the family to Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1825, his father having preceded them by
a few months.
After receiving a common school education with his
brothers and sister – four of whom have attained an advanced age – he learned
the carpenter’s and builder’s trade and worked at this trade in New Jersey.
Here he married Hetty Munn in May, 1845.
September 26, 1849, he arrived in San Francisco, having
been over eight months on the way. He worked at his trade until Christmas and
then left to begin business in Mission San Jose, Alameda county.
Here he built the first frame building in that town and in 1852 sent east for
his family. After living with his family in Mission San Jose for a few months
Mr. Hawley bought some land and built the house in which he and his wife
still live. He farmed for a short time, but found it more profitable to work at
his trade. In 1860 he went to Virginia City, Nev., where he engaged in the
lumber business nine months in the year, spending the remaining three months
with his family in California. This he continued until 1868, when he entered
the employ of the government in constructing lighthouses along the Pacific
coast.
In 1879 he went with a party to Alaska to investigate a silver mine near Golovin Bay,
not far from what is now Nome City. Reporting favorably, he was sent back as
superintendent to develop the mine. The vessel which carried the men and
machinery to Alaska was wrecked and all on board were lost. Hearing of this,
the party in charge returned to California and the enterprise was abandoned.
Mr. Hawley is the father of six children, the eldest
only being deceased. He cast his first vote for Henry Clay, and for years has
been one of the strongest Republicans in the county. He is the oldest Odd
Fellow in the state, having been a member of the lodge for sixty-one years. The
first schoolhouse in his district was erected by him and he served as trustee
many terms.
The years have dealt kindly with Mr. Hawley and his
health has been excellent. He has friends wherever he has lived and their good
wishes and earnest regard have followed him. He is one of the few remaining ’49ers,
and none have crowded into their lives more of interest, well doing and actual
experience than he.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 02 July 2016.
Source: History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 1234-1235. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Marie Hassard.
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