Capt James Dibrell Hawkins
James D. Hawkins is a native of Crawford County who was born in September of 1841. He was educated in Van Buren and served as an apprentice at a harness and saddler's until the Civil War in 1861. He enlisted as a private in Carroll's Company under General Pierce and after that company disbanded subsequent to the battle of Oak Hill, Missouri, he enlisted in Company G, 22nd Regiment Arkansas Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Prairie Grove but later served in battles at Helena, Little Rock and Camden. He returned to Van Buren in 1868. From 1882 until 1886, he sold groceries in Van Buren. Hawkins was elected sheriff and was later appointed mayor of Van Buren before again being elected sheriff.∼James Dibrell Hawkins was born September 1, 1843 in Crawford County to Isaac Hawkins and Susan M. Wasson Hawkins.
His parents came to Van Buren, in 1838 from Virginia to assist his uncle Phillip Hawkins in business.
He departed this life August 8, 1894 in Van Buren, Arkansas.

James was raised and educated in Van buren. He was an apprentice at the harness and saddler's trade with his Uncle Joseph "Joe" Hawkins,who was a Blacksmith, at which he worked until the start of the Civil War.

In 1861 he enlisted as private in Carroll's company, under General Pierce and after the company disbanded, subsequent to the battle of Oak Hill, he enlisted in Company G, 22nd Regiment Arkansas Infantry. He was wounded at Prairie Grove, December 7, 1862, and was disabled until the following March, but afterward was in the battles at Helena, Little Rock and Camden. June 9, 1865 he was paroled at Shreveport.
After the war he drove cattle in the Indian Territory and then returned to Van Buren.

In 1870 he married Sarah Mooney, daughter of W.B. and Nancy MaLoy Mooney. She was born in Texas in 1854 and she bore him ten children; William, James, Gertrude, Maurice, Mary Ella, Philip, John H.. Sarah C., Lelle M. and George.

From 1882 until 1886 he sold groceries in Van Buren, and was then elected Sheriff of the county. In September 1888 he was re-elected. In April 1886 he was elected Mayor of Van Buren and filled that position of trust in a faithful manner. He was elected Sheriff in the following September and resigned the office of Mayor.
He again served as Mayor in 1894.
He had the entire confidence of the public and his word was implicitly relied upon. Of a nature strong and independent, his every answer was plain spoken and straight forward. He had a heart as sympathetic as a woman's. He helped the distressed, the worthy and unworthy alike, he could not say "No" whether the appeal was genuine or not.
He was a prosperous business man, and a stockholder in the Van Buren Ice and Coal Company. He was a Democrat, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and A.O.U.W and American Legion of Honor.

source: Goodspeed
Christopher Hawkins and James E. Hawkins