Historical Rosters Database
Arthur Wells Hawks
Roster ID 1953This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
| First Name: | Arthur |
| Middle Name: | Wells |
| Last Name: | Hawks |
| Suffix: | |
| Affiliation: | Class of 1867 |
| Biography & Genealogy: | Arthur Wells Hawks, Class of 1867. New Market Cadet. Born- Dec. 12, 1847 at Hadley Mass. Father- Major Wells J. Hawks (Maj. Hawks was a staff officer for Gen. Stonewall Jackson). Mother- Sarah Smith. Married- Jessie Jane Leache, daughter of Dr. Jesse Willett Leache and Jane Roberts Hunton of New Baltimore (near Warrenton), Virginia; (Jane was the daughter of Senator Charles Hunton, President of the Virginia Senate; she was first cousin of Brigadier General Eppa Hunton). Children- 1- Arthur W. Hawks, Jr.; 2- Wells J. Hawks; 3- Jessie Leache Hawks Myers, who married H.F. Myers of Ruxton, Md. Entered VMI- April 14, 1864; Left on indefinite furlough to join his father staff in the C.S.A; Made Honorary Graduate of the Class of 1867 on Jan.16, 1875. Civil War Service- Private in Co. B. of the VMI Corps of Cadets; On guard duty at the Institute during the Battle of New Market May 15, 1864; Campaigned at Lynchburg with the Cadets, but afterwards joined the C.S.A.; Captured at Berryville, Va, and in prison at Harper's Ferry for one month before being exchanged. Careers- Evangelist and lecturer, known as "Sunshine" Hawks, the Laughing Philosopher after his fondness for telling good jokes and because a sick little girl once called out "Hello, Sunshine!" when he went to visit her. He entertained troops during the Spanish-American War and in later years gave voluntary service to the U.S.Army and the Y.M.C.A. He retired in 1925. Died- Jan. 5, 1933 at the home of his son Arthur near Ruxton, Md. |
