MANY CITIZENS PASS AWAY

Death Summons several of Tampico's Prominent Citizen's During Past Week

Merritt Hopkins

Merritt Hopkins one of Tampico's aged and most respected citizen's died at his home here Monday morning about 2:10 o'clock. Death came as the result of advancing years coupled with heart trouble. He has been in poor health for several months and for the past seven weeks had been confined to his bed gradually growing weaker until the end came.

Merritt Hopkins was born in Bruttus, New York, June 11, 1830 where he spent his early manhood and learned the lessons of thrift,industry and honesty which were his marked traits throughout life. In November 1852 he came west to Michigan where he spent two years coming to Yorktown in November 1854 buying a farm of the government and establishing his home on the prairies of Illinois where he took his bride, Elizabeth Hunter to whom he was married at Sterling, Nov. 14, 1855. Together they spent their lives on the old home farm, facing, meeting and overcoming the many difficulties of the pioneers life until they had established a splendid farm home and wrung from the soil a competency which enabled them to retire several years ago and move to Tampico where his declining years were spent in well deserved ease and comfort.

Mr Hopkins was a man of well defined, clean cut moral principles and lived an every day rugged honesty that stamped him as a good neighbor, desirable citizen and good man. He had served the people of his district as road commissioner and school director always giving satisfaction in those difficult offices.

He is survived by his widow, one grandchild, three great grandchildren and a brother, Levi J. The many friends of the family offer their sympathy.