Whiteside County Biographies 1908
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Whiteside Biographies 1908 > James Polk Hopkins

History of Whiteside Co., IL 1908
19 Jun 2005

Source: History of Whiteside County, IL
By William W. Davis, M.A.
Illustrated
Vol. II
Chicago: The Pioneer Publishng Co., 1908

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

Pages 816-818

JAMES POLK HOPKINS

Among the younger and more enterprising farmers of Hopkins township, is numbered James Polk Hopkins, a representation of one of the honored pioneer families of Illinois. He was born October 11, 1881, his parents being James Polk and Asenath (Lamont) Hopkins, the former a native of Whiteside county, and the latter of Toronto, Canada. Jason Hopkins, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Nashville, Tennessee, born June 27, 1899. He resided in his native city until he had reached middle age, when he came to Illinois because of the anti-slavery principles which he entertained, settling at Belleville, this state. He afterward removed to Peoria and at a later date became a resident of Whiteside county. He served as a soldier of the Black Hawk war, becoming a volunteer in a cavalry regiment in which he was appointed quartermaster, holding that position throughout the continuance of hostilities that led to the subjugation of the red race and caused their removal from this section of the country to districts farther west. At the close of the war, in the autumn of 1832, as the troops were returning to their homes, Mr. Hopkins, with others, came to the Rock River, and in coasting along its banks reached the present site of the village of Como. Being impressed with the beauty of the place he made a claim, covering the entire tract known in pioneer parlance as a jack knife claim, by cutting his name in the bark of the trees, showing the boundary of his line. Mr. Hopkins always regarded this location as beautiful as the garden of Eden. It has indeed, much natural attraction of a scenic character, while the resources of the farm were many because of the richness and productiveness of the soil.

He was married in Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Elenora Johnson, who was born December 29, 1801, near Bowling Green, Kentucky.

With his bride he returned to Whiteside county in 1835 and surveyed the claim, establishing the boundaries by marking trees in the timber and running furrows across the prairie with the plow and ox team. When the land came into market the prairie with the plow and ox team. When the land came into market he purchased his claim, comprising sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, Hopkins township, and also some land adjoining, making in all about thirty-two hundred acres. He built the first log cabin in the township which bears his name, and thus planted the seeds of civilization in a region hitherto the domain of the savage. He possessed many sterling traits of character, was a man of firm purpose, unswerving integrity and loyalty and of unfaltering patriotism. He was an intimate acquaintance and a great admirer Of General Jackson. In the community where he lived he became an influential factor. He was well fitted to cope with the conditions of pioneer life and in laboring for his community looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future and builded for later days as well as for his own time.

He died August 19, 1853, and thus passed away one who had been instrumental in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the county. The work that he did in reclaiming this wild region will always be remembered, inasmuch as the township in which he first settled bears his name - an honor that he well retired.

His wife passed away May 13, 1858, having survived him for about five years. Their children were William T.; Helen, Francis and James P. The first named was the first white male child born in Whieside County, and his death occurred about 1862.

James P. Hopkins, father of our subject, was the youngest son of Jason Hopkins and was born upon the old homestead claim in Hopkins township, October 4, 1843. He was but ten years of age when his father died. He has lived all his life at Como, with the exception of the time which he spent in the call of the Union and enlisted on the 2d of September, 1862, in the Seventy-fifth regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He continued in the service throughout the war, and was honorably discharged in July. 1865. He participated in the battles of Atlanta, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and various others, which contributed to the result that finally crowned the Union arms. Although frequently in the thickest of the fight he escaped without serious injury. On his return to his home he resumed his former occupation of farming, and in the community was recognized as a citizen of value and public spirit. He was devoted to the principles of the republican party, which stood as the defense of the federal government in the dark days of the Civil war, and which has always been the party of reform, progress and improvement. He was always active in support of the schools and of other local interests calculated to prove of public benefit. On the 30th of November, 1869. at Atkinson, Henry county, Illinois, he was married to Miss Asenath H. Lamont, a daughter of Donald and Mary (Lloyd) Lamont. Her father was born in Scotland and her mother in Canada. They were married in the Dominion, where they resided for a short time before coming to Illinois in 1865, at which time they took up their abode in Hopkins township, Whiteside county. Their children were Aseneth H., Flora A., John, JesseL., Susanna, Elizabeth J., Charity, Washington M.. Emily I. and Martha I. Mrs. Hopkins was born November 2, 1842, and by her marriage became the mother of five children, Elnora M., Jessie L. Anna F, Eunice B. and James P., Jr.

The last named resides upon the old homestead and is one of the energetic, aggressive young farmers of the county. In addition to tilling the soil in the production of the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here, he also makes a specialty of the raising of Poland China hogs, and likewise handles a good many horse. The house which stands here was erected many years ago, and is one of the old landmarks of the county. It is finished in black walnut, and also some butternut wood - woods which are today almost priceless. The farm is well cultivated, is neat and thrifty in its appearance in every department, and indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner.

James P. Hopkins of this review is a member of the Fraternal Life, associated with Galt Lodge, No. 135. He votes the republican ticket, and though keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. His mother resides with him and i an interesting and beautiful character. Their home, although one of the old residences of the county, ha been wel preserved during all these years and is a comfortable dwelling. The name of Hopkins has, from Pioneer times, been an honored one in this section of the state. The work begun by the grandfather and carried on by the father is now being continued by the son, who is justly classed with the representative agriculturists and reliable business men of his community.

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