Exhibit 99.1

Hawthorn Bancshares Announces Stock Dividend

Jefferson City, MO. — May 21, 2014 — Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. of Jefferson City, MO (NASDAQ: HWBK) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a special stock dividend of 4% payable July 1, 2014 to common shareholders of record at the close of business on June 15, 2014.

About Hawthorn Bancshares

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc., a financial-bank holding company headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri, is the parent company of Hawthorn Bank of Jefferson City with locations in Lee’s Summit, Springfield, Branson, Independence, Liberty, Raymore, Columbia, Clinton, Windsor, Collins, Osceola, Warsaw, Belton, Drexel, Harrisonville, California and St. Robert, Missouri.

Statements made in this press release that suggest Hawthorn Bancshares’ or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, or predictions of the future include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the company’s quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.