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- JAMES HOPKINS, who has been a
- prominent and influential citizen of this county since 1848,
and who resides on section 3, Center Township, is an importer
and breeder of fine horses. He was born in Sussex, England, March
12, 1827, and of a family of five children, was the fourth in
order of birth. His parents, John and Sarah (GREEN) HOPKINS,
were also natives of Sussex and in that vicinity the father engaged
in farming for many years. Accompanied by his family he left
his land in 1834, when James was but seven years old,
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- and crossing the broad ocean became a resident of Canada.
He located in Durham County, in the Province of Ontario, where
he followed agricultural pursuits until the year 1848. He then
came to Rock County, Wis., where he purchased 320 acres situated
on sections 3 and 10, Center Township, at $6 per acre. He became
one of the leading farmers of the county and engaged in the cultivation
of his land until 1853, when called from this earth by death
at the age of seventy-seven years and seven months. His excellent
wife survived him until 1876, when she too passed away, dying
at the age of eighty-seven years and three months. The father
never was an active politician, preferring to devote his time
and attention to his business interests. Religiously, he was
a member of the Episcopal Church, to which his family also belonged.
Of his family, John is now married and is engaged in farming
in Canada; William is married and resides in Union Township,
Rock County; Sarah, now Mrs. BOWMAN, is living in Canada; James
is the next in order of birth; George, who came to Rock County
in 1846, making it his home until 1868, when he removed to Eden
County, Mich., died in that county in 1876, leaving a family.
- The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life and in
a little log house - one of the district
- schools of Canada - laid the foundation of his future career.
He assisted his father in the cultivation of land until 1848,
when he started out in life for himself, and emigrating to Rock
County, Wis., purchased a farm of 320 acres in Center Township
twenty-five acres of which had been broken, while the only other
improvement upon the place was a little log cabin. With characteristic
energy he began the work of developing a farm, and to the original
purchase he has added until he is now the owner of 440 acres
of fine arable land, which is highly improved and cultivated.
The buildings upon the place, both the residence and the outbuildings,
are of a substantial and handsome character, and it is chiefly
owing to his own industry and good management that he is the
possessor of such a fine property. Like all pioneers his earlier
years in this county were spent in a log cabin, but as his financial
resources increased, he erected the fine brick residence, which
is now his home and which cost over $6,000. Other improvements
to the amount of $6,000 have been made and the farm is one of
the best in the county. Of late years he has given considerable
attention to the breeding and raising of fine horses, including
English Shire, Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach. He makes his
own purchases, going to England for that purpose, and the past
year, 1888, made two importations. At his stables in Janesville,
he has some very fine horses of specially high pedigree, and
probably no man in the county has done more to advance the grade
of stock than he. His office is with Mr. HOLT in the city, and
he also has a branch stable near the depot in Doe's Addition
to Janesville. In connection with the breeding of horses he also
makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle. He has lately erected
a very large barn in Janesville, where he will keep most of his
imported stock. In the cultivation of tobacco he is quite largely
engaged.
- In this county in the year 1854, Mr. HOPKINS was united in
marriage with Miss Elizabeth
- ADEE, a native of the town of Andes, in Delaware Co., N.Y.,
and a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (PETERS) ADEE, who were
also born in that state. Her father was a farmer by occupation
and resided in New York until his death, which occurred in 1841.
His wife departed this life in 1851. The household circle of
our subject and his wife was completed by the birth of three
children - John R., who is married and is now engaged in farming
in Sanborn County, Dak.; Amanda E., now Mrs. STEVENS, of Center;
and Sampson J., who makes his home in Janesville. He is connected
with his father in stock business and is an energetic and enterprising
man. In politics, Mr. HOPKINS is a Republican and served his
township as Side Supervisor. He bore a prominent part in the
organization of the school districts and has always been in favor
of any movement which is for the benefit of the community or
is calculated to elevate the tone of society in general.
- The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. HOPKINS are given on the opposite
page.
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- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 513-514; lithographs from
same book.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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