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JAMES W. HAWK
Vol. 3, p. 1328-1329

In every populous community the artistic conceptions and practical
skill of the reliable and able architect have inestimable value in
the development and upbuilding of that community and even the cursory
observer can not fail to pay tribute to one whose professional talent
finds concrete and enduring evidence in buildings of fine design and
substantial construction. Mr. Hawk is distinctively to be designated
as one of the representative architects of Oklahoma and has been
engaged in the successful practice of his profession in Oklahoma City
since March, 1899, when he here established his permanent home. None
has achieved a more noteworthy work in connection with the physical
upbuilding and progress of the fine capital city of Oklahoma, where
many of the most metropolitan public, business and private buildings
stand as monuments to his ability in his profession and to that
inflexible integrity of purpose that ever finds its reflex in popular
confidence and esteem. He is one of the substantial and honored
business men of Oklahoma and as such is entitled to special
recognition in this history of the state to whose advancement he has
contributed much.

James Watson Hawk was born at Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, on the
26th of March, 1864, and is a son of Jacob and Mary A. (CAMPBELL)
Hawk, both natives of Bucyrus, Crawford County, that state, and
representatives of sterling pioneer families of Ohio. The family
removed from the Buckeye State to Missouri when James W. Hawk was a
lad of five years, and the home was established at Kirksville, where
the father engaged in the work of his profession, that of architect,
of which he became a leading exponent in that section of Missouri. He
whose name initiates this review acquired his early education in the
public schools of Kirksville, where also he prosecuted higher studies
in the State Normal School. As a youth he became associated with the
various details of the technical and executive work in the office of
his father, under whose able preceptorship [sic] he developed his
exceptional talent as an architect. This discipline was supplemented
by later association of important order with important architects'
offices in the cities of Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City and St.
Joseph, Missouri, where he perfected himself in the technique of his
profession, which represents both an art and a science.

In March, 1899, Mr. Hawk came to the Territory of Oklahoma and
established his residence in the vigorous and ambitious little
municipality and embryonic metropolis of Oklahoma City, where he
forthwith was accorded a position of indubitable priority as one of
the leading architects of the territory. Oklahoma City today is
replete with handsome and substantial architectural structures that
shall long give definite attestation to the skill and the fidelity of
this loyal and progressive citizen, for Mr. Hawk has had the
supervision of many of the finest buildings designed by him. Among
the more important of such evidences of his skill to be found in the
capital city of the state may be noted such modern fireproof
structures as the American National Bank Building, the Majestic
Building, and the Security Building, in which last mentioned he has
maintained his own offices since its completion, in 1906. To him also
is to be assigned the credit for designing and supervising the
construction of the building of Epworth University and practically
all of the larger school buildings in the city, including the fine
high school building, which is conceded to be second to no other of
its class in the entire United States, both in architectural design
and careful and substantial construction.

Mr. Hawk early gained prescience of the great future in store for
Oklahoma City and he has been one of the most vigorous exploiters of
its manifold attractions and advantages--ever ready to lend his
influence and "co-operation in the furtherance of all enterprises and
measures projected for the civic and material welfare of the city. He
was a liberal subscriber to the fund raised by citizens of Oklahoma
City for the purpose of obtaining the location of extensive meat-
packing plants, which have greatly conserved the industrial and
commercial advancement of the city, and he has likewise given equally
liberal financial aid in the development of other large and important
business enterprises, besides those incidental to general municipal
progress. The following pertinent estimate is well worthy of
perpetuation in this connection: "With all of consistency it may be
said that it is to such loyal and public-spirited citizens as James
W. Hawk that Oklahoma City owes its phenomenal growth and the
enviable position which it holds among the really great cities of the
West. To him must tribute be paid not only for much of the city's
modern architectural upbuilding, [sic] but he is also one of those
citizens whose initiative ability, confidence and courage have given
a civic loyalty and inspiration that can not be impaired by years of
adverse conditions. Mr. Hawk has unqualified faith in Oklahoma City
and the State, and his enthusiasm for the future is fully as
insistent as it has been during the past years of his important and
productive service."

In addition to his important work as an architect in Oklahoma City,
Mr. Hawk has designed and constructed the buildings of practically
all of the agricultural colleges of the state, including those of the
Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater, and those at
Claremore, Weatherford and Goodwell, besides buildings for other
important state institutions.

At Albany , Missouri, on the 24th of August, 1892, was solemnized
the marriage of Mr. Hawk to Miss Harriet E. COFFEY, daughter of Rev.
Jasper H. and Frances (CULP) Coffey, her father being at the present
time one of the most venerable and honored clergymen of the Christian
Church in the State of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk have one daughter,
Mary Frances, who was born September 8, 1905.

Typed for OKGenWeb by Lee Ann Collins, October 28, 1998.