PETER W. HAWLEY, the son of a family which was among the early settlers of this section of the State, is himself one of the pioneers of the county and is occupying and managing a large farm, which he entered from the Government more than forty years ago. 

The parents of our subject were Truman and Betsey (Younglove) Hawley, natives, respectively of Vermont and New Jersey. At some period of their married life, in the year 1815, they removed from their New England home among the hills of Vermont, to New York State and cast in their lot with the pioneers of Oswego County. In 1835 they again became pioneers of a newly settled region, taking up their residence in Medina Township, this county, where their remaining years were passed. Until the father’s death they lived no the old homestead, and then the mother made her home with our subject until she died. Mr. Hawley was a well-known and highly-reputed citizen of Medina Township, and was quite prominent there. He was the first Postmaster at Mt. Holly [sic, Mt. Hawley?], and held the position for several years, till his demise. He and his wife were the parents of two sons and three daughters. 

Our subject was the eldest of the family, and was born in the pretty town of Arlington, Vt., September 24, 1813. He was two years old when his parents emigrated to the State of New York, and there he grew to man’s estate. In 1835 he accompanied his parents to his county, and lived with them until his marriage. He was bred to the life of a farmer and has always followed that calling, and is still proprietor of the homestead that he purchased from the Government in 1838, which is pleasantly located on section 25, Radnor Township. It comprises three hundred and five acres of well-tilled land, and all the improvements upon it, including a good set of farm buildings, are the work of his own hand, and he has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished. 

The comforts of the home that he has build up here are due in a great measure to the thoughtful care of his good wife, to whom he was united in marriage in Medina Township, December 25, 1846. Her maiden name was Adalet Henman, and she was born in Oswego County, N. Y., February 28, 1825. She is a daughter of Asa and Rebecca (Hurd) Henman, who were also natives of that part of New York. They were the parents of two children of whom she was the youngest. After her father’s death her mother married Justus Torrey, and they came to this county and were among the pioneers of Medina Township, where they died. 

Mr. and Mrs. Hawley are the parents of nine children, of whom two died when quite young, and the following still live--Alden L., Frank J., Deroy L., Justis T., Peter T., Guy and Charles B. 

In politics Mr. Hawley firmly believes that the policy of the Republican party is the best to be pursued in the guidance of national affairs, and he is accordingly a stanch Republican. He is a fair-minded, honest man of exemplary habits, whose fine reputation gives him a place  among our most highly considered citizens, and as a pioneer of Radnor Township his name will ever be linked with its history.

(page 304)