He was Prominent in All Westford Affairs
By James Van Bever
Wesley Orin Hawkes was born in the small western Massachusetts town of Heath on July 7, 1842. He was the son of Almon and Lucinda Porter Hawks. Wesley would later add the e to his last name. Hawkes was educated in Heath and was living in that town when he enlisted for service in the American Civil War in 1861.
Hawkes would serve in the 31st Massachusetts Regiment until he was discharged for a disability suffered because of illness on November 20, 1861. Wesley recovered from his illness, returned to Heath, and took charge of the family farm because of his father’s absence.
However, the young Hawkes would reenlist in the Union Army on July 15, 1864, and became a member of the Sixteenth Massachusetts. Wesley was serving in Maryland when Confederate General Jubal Early made his raids on the outskirts of Washington, D.C.. Hawkes was serving with the Union Army in Indiana when his enlistment expired and he was “mustered out “of service, on November 30, 1864, at Boston Common.”
Unlike today, soldiers in the Civil War had to find and pay for their own transportation home after being discharged from the military. Like many soldiers, Wesley had to walk the railroad tracks on his way home to Heath. On his way home, he stopped in Graniteville for the night and met his future wife Abbie Hill.
Although Wesley did return to Heath, he eventually married Abbie on June 3, 1866, and settled in the Graniteville section of Westford. Upon moving to Westford, Hawkes first became employed in the Graniteville quarries. He then started working for the Concord and Montreal Railroad as a Station Agent in 1873. After ten years with Concord and Montreal, (the former Nashua, Acton & Boston Railroad) Wesley became a Station Agent with the Boston and Maine Railroad in Graniteville until 1883. He was succeeded in the position by his son Frank Porter Hawkes. After leaving his post with Boston and Maine, Wesley continued to work delivering mail between the railroad station and the Graniteville Post Office until about 1921.
After moving to Westford, Mr. Hawkes became involved in state, civic, and town affairs. In 1895, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives where he served on the Committee on Public Service. In 1900, he was elected to the Westford Board of Selectmen and served on the Board until 1909. He also served in such roles as Chairman of the Overseers of the Poor and Commissioner of Public Burial Grounds. In addition, Hawkes was a member of the Finance Committee, Board of Voter Registration, and Chairman of the Westford Board of Public Welfare.
While chairman of the Overseers of the Poor, Wesley was instrumental in changing the name of the Town Farm or Poor House to Westford Home. Also, he was chairman when the Westford Home was wired for electricity and electric lights were installed at the facility.
Hawkes was also active in veterans’ affairs. He served as Commander of the Veterans Association of Westford and amazingly, at the age of eighty, Wesley was the Commander of the George S. Boutwell Post, G.A.R. in Ayer. He would often run events in town to honor all Westford veterans.
In addition, Wesley was highly active in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Graniteville. Wesley held the position of Sunday School Superintendent for many years. On his 66th birthday, the church gave him a surprise birthday party to honor his dedication and service to the church. His wife was given a mahogany cabinet on the occasion.
Wesley O. Hawkes was active in town affairs until the end of his life. At the time of his death, he still held the position of Chairman of the Overseers of the Poor. Mr. Hawkes died on March 30, 1926. He was survived by his wife Abbie, daughter Jennie, and son Frank. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Westford,
Sources: “Graniteville,” Courier Citizen, date unavailable.
“Selectman Hawkes is 66 years old”, Lowell Sun, July 9, 1908, p. 22.
Ibid. “Was Prominent in All Westford Affairs,” March 31, 1926, p. 3.
Note: Much information for this article was gleaned from a letter from Robert W. Hawkes a descendant of Wesley O. Hawkes dated August 6, 1992.