Stephen Allen Hawks was born in 1808 in Ontario County, New York. He married Rhoda Martha Genung in New York and they were blessed with three children: a son they named Nelson Allen Hawks (who was b.1837 in Ontario, New York), a 2nd son, Milo, and a daughter, Melissa (who were born in 1840 and 1846, respectively), in Aztalan, Wisconsin. Stephen Allen Hawks was a carriage manufacturer in Ontario County and the family prospered, however, Stephen wanted to head Westward as so many people did during that time. He moved his family to Jefferson Co., Wisconsin and opened a small carriage manufacturing company there from 1840 until Spring, 1852, when he was again "bitten by the migration bug". He once more packed up his family and they headed West for the last time. They had reached Wyoming Territory when Stephen became ill with cholera. Despite the ministerings of his wife, he passed away on June 18, 1852. He was buried by the trail later that day. His wife and son continued Westward, 20 miles to Fort Laramie, and then returned to Wisconsin.
Per a letter received from Richard Rieck, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Geography, Western Illinois University, "On Nov 4, 1852 the Daily Alta CA newspaper published "List of Deaths on the Plains this Season". In it is listed, "S.Allen, June 18". From internal evidence in the article it is likely that he died about 20 miles east of Ft. Laramie. Other secondary sources indicate that the "S" stood for "Stephen", that he died from cholera and that he was from Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The Allen grave is no longer in existence. Researchers have diligently searched all along the trail (especially in the Ft. Laramie area) for almost 100 years for graves and, although a handful have been found, his has not."
****Thank you to the researchers for finally putting my mind to rest.
Where I fit in: Stephen Allen was the grandfather of Mayme Laura (Allen) Burkhart, the wife of William M. Chester Burkhart, my maternal great grandmother's (Nellie Olivia Burkhart Hall) younger brother.
****Thank you also to Melissa Devin for more exact details regarding this pioneer's life.
Per a letter received from Richard Rieck, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Geography, Western Illinois University, "On Nov 4, 1852 the Daily Alta CA newspaper published "List of Deaths on the Plains this Season". In it is listed, "S.Allen, June 18". From internal evidence in the article it is likely that he died about 20 miles east of Ft. Laramie. Other secondary sources indicate that the "S" stood for "Stephen", that he died from cholera and that he was from Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The Allen grave is no longer in existence. Researchers have diligently searched all along the trail (especially in the Ft. Laramie area) for almost 100 years for graves and, although a handful have been found, his has not."
****Thank you to the researchers for finally putting my mind to rest.
Where I fit in: Stephen Allen was the grandfather of Mayme Laura (Allen) Burkhart, the wife of William M. Chester Burkhart, my maternal great grandmother's (Nellie Olivia Burkhart Hall) younger brother.
****Thank you also to Melissa Devin for more exact details regarding this pioneer's life.
Stephen Allen Hawks was born in 1808 in Ontario County, New York. He married Rhoda Martha Genung in New York and they were blessed with three children: a son they named Nelson Allen Hawks (who was b.1837 in Ontario, New York), a 2nd son, Milo, and a daughter, Melissa (who were born in 1840 and 1846, respectively), in Aztalan, Wisconsin. Stephen Allen Hawks was a carriage manufacturer in Ontario County and the family prospered, however, Stephen wanted to head Westward as so many people did during that time. He moved his family to Jefferson Co., Wisconsin and opened a small carriage manufacturing company there from 1840 until Spring, 1852, when he was again "bitten by the migration bug". He once more packed up his family and they headed West for the last time. They had reached Wyoming Territory when Stephen became ill with cholera. Despite the ministerings of his wife, he passed away on June 18, 1852. He was buried by the trail later that day. His wife and son continued Westward, 20 miles to Fort Laramie, and then returned to Wisconsin.
Per a letter received from Richard Rieck, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Geography, Western Illinois University, "On Nov 4, 1852 the Daily Alta CA newspaper published "List of Deaths on the Plains this Season". In it is listed, "S.Allen, June 18". From internal evidence in the article it is likely that he died about 20 miles east of Ft. Laramie. Other secondary sources indicate that the "S" stood for "Stephen", that he died from cholera and that he was from Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The Allen grave is no longer in existence. Researchers have diligently searched all along the trail (especially in the Ft. Laramie area) for almost 100 years for graves and, although a handful have been found, his has not."
****Thank you to the researchers for finally putting my mind to rest.
Where I fit in: Stephen Allen was the grandfather of Mayme Laura (Allen) Burkhart, the wife of William M. Chester Burkhart, my maternal great grandmother's (Nellie Olivia Burkhart Hall) younger brother.
****Thank you also to Melissa Devin for more exact details regarding this pioneer's life.
Per a letter received from Richard Rieck, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Geography, Western Illinois University, "On Nov 4, 1852 the Daily Alta CA newspaper published "List of Deaths on the Plains this Season". In it is listed, "S.Allen, June 18". From internal evidence in the article it is likely that he died about 20 miles east of Ft. Laramie. Other secondary sources indicate that the "S" stood for "Stephen", that he died from cholera and that he was from Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The Allen grave is no longer in existence. Researchers have diligently searched all along the trail (especially in the Ft. Laramie area) for almost 100 years for graves and, although a handful have been found, his has not."
****Thank you to the researchers for finally putting my mind to rest.
Where I fit in: Stephen Allen was the grandfather of Mayme Laura (Allen) Burkhart, the wife of William M. Chester Burkhart, my maternal great grandmother's (Nellie Olivia Burkhart Hall) younger brother.
****Thank you also to Melissa Devin for more exact details regarding this pioneer's life.
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