Jeptha B. Hopkins

Jeptha married Emeline Ann True on September 17, 1865. She was born 1843 in New York.

Children:

i. JUNIE HOPKINS, d. 28 February 1890.

ii. ROBERT HOPKINS, b. April 1868, MI.

iii. ELMER HOPKINS, b. April 1870, WI.

iv. MINA HOPKINS, b. March 1877, Antelope Co., NE.

During the Civil War Jeptha Hopkins served as a Sgt Company C 33rd Wisconsin Infantry. As per list of Veteran Burials at this cemetery.

Jeptha Hopkins, proprietor of one of the most valuable estates in Antelope county, Nebraska, has been a resident of that locality for many years. He is prominently known throughout the state as one of the foremost farmers and stockmen in Nebraska, and, after many years' hard labor in building up his business, is now prepared to enjoy the remaining years of his life in peace and comfort, surrounded by a host of good friends and acquaintances. However, he still looks after his farming interests. A picture of his residence will be found on another page.

  Mr. Hopkins, a native of Cortland county, New York, was born April 17, 1833. With his parents, he went to Ashtabula county, Ohio, when he was but three years old, living there twenty years. Then he went to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, residing there six years. Mr. Hopkins enlisted in the army during the civil war, enlisting August 12, 1862, joining Company C, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and during his service was down through the south with General Sherman, until "the march to the sea," and then, under General Thomas, fighting Hood through Tennessee. He was mustered out August 23, 1865, with rank of second lieutenant. He took part in the following battles: Coldwater, Mississippi; Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Jackson, Mississippi; Pleasant Hill Landing; Clantierville, Louisiana; Cane River, Louisiana; Yellow Bayou, Louisiana; Tupelo, Mississippi; Nashville, Tennessee; Spanish Fort, Alabama; the Mexican Expedition, Marksville, Louisiana, and Bayou Boeuf.

  Mr. Hopkins came to Antelope county, Nebraska, in November, 1870, driving from Wisconsin to the homestead claim he had taken up, which was located in section four, township twenty-four, range five, and which remains the home of our subject to this day. On this land he first built a log house, which he covered with sod, it being a very comfortable home in those days. Mr. Hopkins experienced the many hardships and disappointments incident to those earliest days, when it required almost incredible courage to brave the western frontier. He suffered losses of all description, three consecutive years, losing his entire crops by the grasshopper raids; also experienced a similar loss in the dry year of 1894, and many times fought prairie fires to save his home and possessions.

  Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage September 17, 1865, to Miss Emelia True. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are the parents of four children, named as follows: Junie, who died February 28, 1890; Robert; Elmer, who is married to Miss Lydia McCormick, has four children, and lives at Harrison, Nebraska; and Mina, wife of John Ives, the parents of five children.

  One of their interesting experiences occurred when they crossed Iowa in 1869. The roads were deep in mud, and many of the streams overflowed their banks. In crossing Skunk creek, the water was so deep over the corduroy track laid in the bottom of the stream that the wagon box was afloat. They finally got hack on the corduroy track, and crossed in safety.

JEPTHA BRIGHT HOPKINS. One of the well known citizens of Clay county and one who has been connected with the many lines of enterprise therein is Jeptha B. Hopkins of this review. Almost a pioneer settler he came to the county in November, 1877, and the profession of law, of teaching, and the real estate, newspaper and farm and ranch business have known him and have felt the impress of his magic and intelligent touch.

Of Kentucky origin, Mr. Hopkins was born in Shelby county, March 8, 1852. His father, John Hopkins, now a resident of Austin, Texas, was born near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1821, and in early childhood accompanied his father’s, William Hopkins’, family to Shelby county and there he grew up, was educated fairly and was married. William Hopkins married a Miss Fry, both of whom died in Shelby county, being the parents of John, Luke, William, Alexander, Nancy and Ellen. John Hopkins married Ann W. Bright, born in Henry county, Kentucky, a daughter of Jeptha Bright, a Virginian and a widely known citizen of his adopted county. Ann Bright Hopkins died in February, 1899, at seventy-seven years of age, being the mother of Horace F., of Shelby county, Kentucky; Georgia, wife of H. B. Ford, of Austin, Texas; Jeptha B., our subject; Laura, now Mrs. H. L. Giltner, of Eminence, Kentucky; John W., of Austin, Texas, professor in the State University of Texas, and E. N., of Lexington, Missouri.

Jeptha B. Hopkins received his education in Eminence College, graduating in 1870, with the degree of A. B. bestowed by the institution and five years later that of A. M. He then prepared himself for the law and was admitted to the bar in Shelby county before Judge S. E. De Haven and the year following his advent here was admitted in Clay county in Judge Carroll’s court. After a year’s practice he drifted into the real estate business also and was connected with both for some years. In 1885 he embarked in the newspaper business, founding the Independent, Democratic in politics, which he sold in 1888, when he engaged in the insurance business, being so connected until 1890. At this date Henrietta seemed destined to take on something of a boom and Mr. Hopkins erected and opened the Hopkins hotel, which burned later on, and the same year he moved to the capital of the state. He remained there less than two years, engaged in the insurance business, and on his return to Henrietta resumed the same here. He again entered the newspaper field and established, in 1897, the Henrietta News, which he edited until 1901 and on disposing of it moved to his farm four miles northeast of the county seat where he has since resided. As a farmer Mr. Hopkins has devoted himself to growing grain and stock, and his tract of six hundred and seventy-two acres, well watered, timbered and desirably situated, yields its owner as abundantly as need be for the domestic and other wants of the household. When in the newspaper business Mr. Hopkins also took an interest in politics. He was chosen mayor of Henrietta in 1890 and resigned before the expiration of his term on account of business interests and engagements. As a farmer he has eliminated and proscribed politics and all his spare time is devoted to his papers, magazines and his books. He is possessed of a voracious appetite for literature and few men in north Texas possess a library like his.

February 26, 1884, Jeptha B. Hopkins and Mary F. Merchant were married in Henrietta. Mrs. Hopkins’ parents were J. S. W. and Fannie (Anderson) Merchant who came to Clay county in 1877, and here died, the mother in 1886, at fifty-four, and the father in 1899, at seventy-seven years of age. Mrs. Hopkins is one of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity, viz: George W., who died at Chickasa, Indian Territory, leaving a family; Levonia, died at Magnolia, Arkansas, as Mrs. H. R. Hughey; Wallace, of Gering, Nebraska; Sarah J., married to John Utley, of Marlow, Indian Territory; Sam Houston, of Marlow; Mrs. Hopkins, born January 16, 1862; Lucy, wife of William B. Ellis, of Callahan county, Texas; James; Eldridge E., of Paul’s Valley, Indian Territory, and Ella, wife of John W. Morris, of Vernon, Texas.

Jephtha B. Hopkins, Jr., is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins. He was born December 26, 1885, possesses the commendable and substantial traits of his parents and is a valuable aid to the proper conduct of the farm.