Charles W. Hawes, a prominent merchant and banker of Morrowville, Washington county, is a native of Maine, born in Aristock county on March 21, 1853, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary Ann (Mayall) Hawes, both natives of Maine and of old New England families. The father was engaged in the lumber business in his native State until 1869, when the family came to Kansas, settling in Washington county, where the father took a homestead, and after that followed farming and stock raising there.

Charles W. Hawes was about seventeen years old when he came to Kansas with his parents. He spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended school very little after coming to Kansas, having received his education principally in the public schools of Maine. When he attained his majority he also took a homestead and engaged in farming on his own account. He followed this avocation until 1891 and was numbered among the most successful farmers and stock raisers of the county. In 1891 he removed to Morrowville, engaging in the mercantile business until the present time. In 1900 he was appointed postmaster of Morrowville and is now serving in that capacity. He was one of the organizers of the Morrowville State Bank and was elected the first president of that institution, and still holds that position. He is also extensively interested in other successful commercial enterprises of importance, being a stockholder in the Morrowville Telephone Company and in the Washington National Bank, of Washington, Kan.

Mr. Hawes has been twice married, on the first occasion to Miss Carrie T., daughter of William A. and Lizzie Thurston, who were natives of Maine and pioneer settlers in Kansas, where the father was an early-day homesteader. Mrs. Hawes was born in Maine and came to Kansas with her parents when a child where she received her education and later taught school. To Mr. and Mrs. Hawes was born one child, Herbert. The wife and mother departed this life in February, 1901, and in May, 1903, Mr. Hawes married Miss Sarah McWilliams. She is a daughter of Fletcher and Mary McWilliams, natives of Ireland, but who now reside in Kansas. Mrs. Hawes was born in Illinois, where she was reared and educated. One child has been born to this marriage, Raymond. Mr. Hawes is a Republican and has served on the Morrowville school board. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and the Daughters of Rebekah, Mrs. Hawes is a member of the Baptist church.