Mt. Vernon Register, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, dated Monday, January 16, 1939.

John Hawkins dies Sunday at his farm home.
Funeral Tuesday for Widely Known Farmer who leaves 73 Descendants
John Hawkins, one of the most widely known farmers of Jefferson County died at his home in north part of the county Sunday night after a short illness. Mr. Hawkins was stricken Friday and rallied only slightly. He was 83 years of age. He leaves 73 living descendants.
He was the son of Will and Hannah Hawkins, and was born in Jefferson County, in what is called Panther Fork neighborhood, Nov. 14, 1855.
His grandfather, John Hawkins came to Jefferson county with his brother, Benjamin, early in the 19th century, and were among the first settlers in that section of the country. Almost continually since that time, the family has resided in the neighborhood and there are many descendants from the two pioneers.
The deceased was married to Nancy Myers in 1877. To this union was born 12 children, two of whom, with the wife and mother, have preceded him in death. The surviving children are Mrs. Mamie Bayers, Kell; Ira Hawkins, Texico; Wayne Hawkins, Sandwich, Ill.; Mrs. Iva Pate, Whiting, Ind.; Earl Hawkins, Decatur, Ill.; Elmer J. Hawkins, Mt. Vernon; Mrs Zetta Blankenship, Somonauk
Ill.; Mrs. Gladys Hoadley, LeLand, Ill.; Roy Hawkins, Kell; and Mrs. Hazel Scarbrough, Elgin, Ill.
In addition, he leaves 39 grandchildren. 23 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
He was long a member of the Panther Fork Baptist Church, having joined in 1916.
Funeral services will be held at the Panther Fork Baptist Church at 11 A.M. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1939 and burial will follow at Antioch cemetery west of Texico. Rev. A.T. Smith will officiate.