Sargeant Roger Hunkins

Sargeant Roger Hunkins was a Wisconsin Territory settler known for his family relations and early political contributions.
Biography
Hunkins was born in Vermont on March 12, 1802 to Robert Hastings Hunkins and Hannah Emerson. In 1825, Hunkins married Rebecca Whitcher, who was born September 6, 1807. Whitcher was the daughter of Henry Whitcher (born January 1, 1771; died July 13, 1848) and Polly Bidwell (born January 1, 1774; died March 24, 1851).
In 1837, Hunkins moved with his family to the Wisconsin Territory, which had not yet been incorporated as a state. He preceded the move of his father who moved from Vermont to the Wisconsin Territory in 1839.
Hunkins and wife Rebecca had the following children: Henry died July 31, 1899, in Brandrup Township, Wilkin County, Minnesota. He is posthumously referred to as an "honored veteran pioneer" and was known for the hard work he put into his farm and the house that he built for his family.
*Harriet Hunkins, born January 11, 1834. Harriet died May 5, 1915, in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
*Helen Hunkins, born March 17, 1841. She died as a child on October 24, 1845.
*Laura G Hunkins, born September 24, 1845. She also died as a child on January 29, 1850.
*Silas Hunkins, born May 23, 1850. Silas was the third consecutive child of Hunkins and Rebecca to die in childhood. He died August 23, 1851.
*Sargeant Roger Hunkins (II), born July 12, 1855 in New Berlin. Sargeant married Lizze Dawson on August 23, 1879. He died August 14, 1895.
Political contributions
In 1866, Hunkins was elected as Commissioner to represent the Fourth District of Waukesha County. These Commissioners took the place of Supervisors who were also elected by district. The system of Supervisors and then Commissioners acted for the county as Legislators would for the state. Hunkins' brother, Benjamin Hunkins, served on board of supervisors in one-year periods as well in years 1849, 1852, 1853 and 1858. Both Hunkins brothers had an interest in shaping Wisconsin Territory politics before Wisconsin had even become a state.
Hunkins was elected as Collector for New Berlin in 1842. This election was held April 5, 1942, in the schoolhouse in District 1.

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