In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903)
JACOB S. HAWK.
In this publication which has to do with those who have been in the past or are to-day prominently concerned in the business, professional, political and social life of Keokuk county, we are gratified to give a specific consideration to Jacob S. Hawk, of Martinsburg, for his life has been one of activity and he is widely known throughout the county. He is a native of the Buckeye state, where he was born in Jackson township, Madison county, September 28, 1827. He comes of an old Virginia family, his father, William Hawk, having been born there, and reared and educated. Upon arriving at maturity he moved over into Ohio with his father, Jacob Hawk, and the rest of the family. Here our subject's father married and began his life as a farmer in Madison township. In the year 1853 he joined the great wave of emigration that was setting in toward the west and located in Keokuk county, where he took up land in Steady Run township. Here he continued to cultivate his farm until 1855, in which year he died at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a staunch Republican in politics and is remembered to have been a very worthy citizen of that section of the county. The mother of our subject was Leah Switzer, also a native of the Old Dominion state. She died in 1840 at a comparatively early age, being the mother of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, and seven of this family being still alive. The whole family came to Keokuk count)- in 1853.
Mr. Hawk was reared to farm life, and given a fair education. He assisted his father on the farm until the date of his marriage, September 6, 1849, when he set up an establishment of his own, continuing in the agricultural life to which he had been reared. His wife was
Electa J. Henson, who was a native of Jackson county, Ohio. Upon arrival in Keokuk county Mr. Hawk took up land in Steady Run township, where he engaged actively in farming until 1890, at which time. having by thrift and economy acquired a fair competence, he reared from active business, and purchasing a home in Martinsburg has since that time resided in that city. He retained his farm of one hundred and sixty-six acres up to the year 1900, when he sold out. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk had rive children, three of whom are living: William, residing at home; John, at Martinsburg; M. J., wife of Millard Parish, residing in Oregon City, Oregon.
Mr. Hawk has been continuously connected with the affairs of Steady Run township for forty-five years. He is a staunch Republican in politics, and has filled some of the minor offices of the township, having been constable for a period of fourteen years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a Mason, having his membership at Martinsburg; he is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It is worthy of note in connection with the record of this worthy gentleman that at the time when his country needed his services he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, as a private soldier. In this organization he saw some severe service. During the service he was promoted to the position of sergeant of his company. The life of a soldier, however, was too severe for his constitution, and he was honorably discharged on account of disability.
Mr. Hawk is one of the stockholders and directors of the Martinsburg National Bank, one of the strongest organizations in Keokuk county. Although he is retired from active life as carried on by the farming element, he still keeps up his interest in everything that looks to the advancement of the material interests of his county. His acquaintance throughout the country is such that his advice is frequently sought in matters of investment by the younger men of the community, who have great confidence in his judgment in matters of land investment. In business Mr. Hawk has attained a very desirable success. Dependent entirely upon his own efforts, he has surmounted the obstaclein his path, and the difficulties which he has encountered have served as an impetus vk renewed labor. In this way he has advanced steadily to a position of influence and now, having acquired a handsome competence, he is enjoying a well earned rest.
As printed in A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1903. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.