Otto E. Hawkinson, of the well known Marquette State Bank, representing one of the leading financial concerns of McPherson county, was born in Smaland, Sweden, a son of Isaac and Martha L. Hawkinson, natives of that province and country. The Hawkinson family is one of the most prominent and influential Swede families in McPherson county, and its members have been identified with affairs there for the past forty-two years. Andrew P. and Charles J. Hawkinson, elder brothers of Otto F., were the first of the family to migrate to America, and they located in Henry county, Illinois, in 1865. Four years later, in 1869, they removed to Marquette, McPherson county, Kansas, where they were numbered among the early settlers, and in 1870 they were joined by their father, Isaac Hawkinson, and the other members of the family, who came direct from Smaland, Sweden. The father established his residence in Fremont, where he became a wealthy farmer, and there continued to reside until his death, in 1896, and his wife passed away in 1910. Of the children of this honored couple, Charles J. is living retired at Lindsborg; Andrew P. died at Marquette, in 1910; Frank G. is engaged in the broom-corn business at McPherson; Alfred is a capitalist and resides in the same place; Claus is a farmer at Fremont; Christina A. resides at Fremont; Adolf is a farmer and stock raiser, with residence at Marquette, and Otto E. is the next in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of McPherson county and at Bethany College, at Lindsborg, a member of the first class to graduate at that institution, in 1884. He then attended Spaulding's Business College, at Kansas City, Mo., and graduated there in 1885. His first occupation after leaving school was as bookkeeper for the firm of Pihlblad & Johnson, at Lindsborg, in which position he was employed until 1886, when he accepted the appointment of deputy county treasurer, and in 1888 he was appointed deputy county clerk. In 1890 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, as county clerk, and was reëlected in 1892, serving a period of four years in that position. After retiring from office he became the office manager of the firm of Olander & Isaacson and officiated in that capacity from 1896 until 1902, when he resigned to accept the position of cashier of the Marquette State Bank, and he has ever since been identified with this important enterprise. He is a member of the American and Kansas State Bankers' associations, and he was one of the organizers of the famous Messiah Chorus of Bethany College. Three of his brothers and a sister have since been active participants in and generous supporters of that organization. Mr. Hawkinson is interested in other important industrial and business concerns and is also the owner of real estate interests in his home city and county. He is a Republican in his political allegiance, and both he and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church.

On June 1, 1887, Mr. Hawkinson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna E. Bengston, daughter of Gustave Bengston, of Andover, Ill., a prominent Swedish settler of that state, a general merchant and farmer, and one of the most prominent men in the Galesburg colony. Of this union there are three children: Amos E. graduated at the Kansas University, with the class of 1911, and is now with the Anchor Trust Company, at Wichita; Carl Otto is a student at Bethany College, and Willard Gustus is at the parental home.