Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally Published 1885
Chapman Bros, Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Pages 361-362

JAMES P. HOPKINS, farmer, section 36, Hopkins Township, is the youngest son of Jason Hopkins, whose memory is perpetuated by the name of that division of the county in which he resides. His father was born Jan., 27, 1789, and he married Eleanor Johnson, who was born in Kentucky. They lived in Tennessee until their removal, in 1835, to Hopkins Township, where they were the first white settlers. The senior Hopkins built the first log house on Rock River, in Whiteside County, of which he took possession and which he occupied some years. He removed thence to another pairt of the same section, known as the "Como Purchase." He died there Aug. 19, 1853. The date of the death of the mother is May 13, 1858. their children were four in number, and were named William T., Helen, Frances and James P. The oldest child was born Feb. 22, 1837, and was the first white male child born in Whiteside County. He died about 1862.

Mr. Hopkins of this sketch was born Oct. 4, 1843, in Hopkins township. He was but 10 years of age when his father died, and he has lived all his life at Como, with the exception of the time which he spent in the military service of the United States. He enlisted Sept. 2, 1862, in the 75th Regt. Ill. Vol. Inf., and was in active service until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1865. He was under rebel fire at Atlanta, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain, besides seeing other service of a miscellaneous character. He passed through the varied experiences of war entirely without injury. On his return to his home he resumed his former occupation of farming. He is an adherent of the Repulbican party in his political principles. He has been active in school and other local interests.

Mr. Hopkins was married Nov. 30, 1869, at Atkinson, Henry Co., Ill., to Asenath H., daughter of Donald and Mary (Lloyd) Lamont. Her father wa born in Scotland and her mother was a native of Canada. They were married in the Dominion, where they resided some years, and afterward came to Illinois, settling in Hopkins Township, this county, in 1865: they are still living. Mrs. Hopkins is their oldest child, and her brothers and sisters are named Flora A., John, Jesse L., Susanna, Elizabeth J. Charity, Washington M., Emily I. and Mary I. Mrs. Hopkins was born Nov. 2, 1842, in Canada. She has become the mother of five children, - Eleanor M., Jessie L., Anna F., Eunice B. and James P., Jr.