People

Edgar C Hawley

Edgar C. Hawley (February 20, 1850 – date of death unknown) was a merchant, banker, and politician who spent the majority of his adult life in Dundee, Kane County, Illinois. Born in Barrington, Cook County, he relocated to Dundee in 1873 to establish a mercantile business and went on to become one of the more prominent civic figures in the area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, serving multiple terms in the Illinois General Assembly and on the Kane County Board of Supervisors. (Source: *Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County* (1904))

Known Activities

Merchant and Banker Hawley arrived in Dundee in 1873 and established himself as a merchant. He subsequently expanded into banking in Dundee, though the precise institution or institutions with which he was affiliated are not recorded in available sources. (Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County (1904))

Kane County Board of Supervisors Prior to his legislative career, Hawley served two terms on the Kane County Board of Supervisors. The dates of those terms are not specified in available sources. (Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County (1904))

Illinois General Assembly Hawley was elected as a Representative from Kane County to the Illinois General Assembly in 1888 and served four consecutive terms. The nature of his legislative work during those terms is not detailed in available sources. (Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County (1904))

State Board of Grain and Warehouse Commissioners Following or concurrent with his legislative service, Hawley was connected with the State Board of Grain and Warehouse Commissioners in Chicago. His precise role or title with that body is not specified in available sources. (Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County (1904))

Masonic Fraternity Hawley was a member of the Masonic fraternity and reportedly held all degrees with the exception of the Scottish Rite. (Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County (1904))

Family

Hawley was the son of George C. and Anna (Nute) Hawley. In 1871 he married Esther E. Hunt, daughter of Henry E. Hunt of Dundee. The couple had three children:

  • William A. Hawley — became a civil engineer employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
  • Esther A. Hawley — was a student at the University of Illinois at the time of the 1904 publication
  • Henry E. Hawley — died in 1881
(Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County (1904))

Timeline

YearEvent
February 20, 1850Born in Barrington, Cook County, Illinois
1871Married Esther E. Hunt of Dundee
1873Established mercantile business in Dundee
(dates unrecorded)Served two terms on the Kane County Board of Supervisors
1881Death of son Henry E. Hawley
1888Elected Representative to the Illinois General Assembly; served four consecutive terms
(date unrecorded)Connected with the State Board of Grain and Warehouse Commissioners, Chicago
## Sources
  • Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Kane County (1904). Available at archive.org.