Elias Wilson Hawes was the son of Dr. Ellington Cody Hawes, a respected doctor and plantation owner of Wrightsboro and grandson of Peyton Hawes.  Born in Wrightsboro and educated in Wrightsboro School, he was a farmer, Democrat and Mason. He was elected McDuffie County Sheriff in 1889, serving until 1907, when he resigned to become Georgia Prison Board inspector.  He returned to elected office as Ordinary in 1925, serving until his death on January 5, 1927.  Hawes was married to Adella Heath Wilder of Warrenton and they had four children, James Wilson Hawes, India Hawes Dozier, Ada Hawes Boulleneau and Admiral Richard E. Hawes.

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