Biographical Sketch of

Cyrus K. Hawes

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 485 - 486

Cyrus K. Hawes, who resides on section, 20 in the town of Oxford, is a pioneer of Marquette County and a native of 
the Green Mountain State, of English and Scotch parentage.  He was born in the town of Newark, Caledonia County, Feb. 
14, 1815, and is a son of Luther and Sally (Gale) Hawes, the former a native of Franklin, Mass., the later of New 
Hampshire.  Jonathan Hawes, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in England, but came to America prior 
to the War of the Revolution and was engaged in furnishing supplies to the Colonial Army during that struggle.  
The maternal grandfather, Paul Gale, served as a body guard of Gen. Washington.

When the father of our subject was but five years old he removed with his parents from Massachusetts to Newport, N. H., 
and in that State was married, but soon afterward went to Vermont.  In later years he became a resident of Canada and 
in 1847 we find him in Dodge County, Wis., whence he removed to Moundville, Marquette County, where his death occurred 
in 1866.  His wife died in Dodge County, in 1851.  They were parents of twelve children, nine of whom, four sons and 
five daughters, attained to mature years.

The subject of this sketch was a lad of fourteen years when the family became residents of Canada.  He returned to the 
United States in 1836, settling in Ohio, where he became acquainted with Miss Martha Jane Raney, with whom he was united 
in marriage Oct. 10, 1842.  The lady was a native of the Buckeye State and a daughter of John A. Raney, who was a 
soldier in the War of 1812, as was also the father of our subject.  In October, 1845, Mr. Hawes emigrated with his 
family to Wisconsin, locating in the town of Trenton, Dodge County, but in March, 1849, became a resident of the town 
of Moundville, Marquette County.  He located upon land in that community and purchased the claim when it came into 
market, making it his home until 1857, when he removed to his present farm on section 20 in the town of Oxford.

Mr. Hawes was bereft of his wife by death Sept. 13, 1888, when that lady was in her seventieth year.  They had traveled 
life's journey together for forty-four years, had labored for the interests of each other and their children, and were 
separated only when the mother was called to her final rest.  Their family numbered eight children, one son and seven 
daughters, but only four are now living - Permelia, Luther, John, Orpha and Frances.  Ursula, the eldest, was born Oct. 
20, 1843, and died Feb. 5, 1887; Mary, born Oct. 4, 1846, died April 13, 1870; Sallie and Lydia died in childhood.

The Indians still claimed this section of the country as their hunting grounds when Mr. Hawes arrived in Marquette 
County.  The wild and unsettled condition at that time and the unattractive appearance of the country was not conducive 
to rapid settlement, but after a few noble men and women had braved the trials and dangers of pioneer life, immigration 
flowed rapidly in and the work of transformation placed the county in its present advanced position, but it is to the 
early settlers that the greatest credit is due, among whom may be mentioned Mr. Hawes.  Public spirited and progressive, 
he has always given his support for the best interests and the upbuilding of the community.  He aided in the organization 
of the town of Moundville and was instrumental in establishing the first school in the township.  It is the duty as well 
as the pleasure of the historian to perpetuate the memory of the pioneers by written record and we are glad to insert the 
foregoing sketch.






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