William M Hopkins

WILLIAM HOPKINS was the first of Archibald's children to come to Illinois. He left Red Oak early in September, 1835, with his wife, nine children, ten head of cattle, and thirty head of sheep. One big four-horse prairie schooner carried the household effects, and a two-horse spring-wagon, then an object of curiosity in the neighborhood, made a comfortable place for the wife and little ones. At Funk's Grove, near the present site of Bloomington, they were delayed for some time by high water. William and a part of the family finally moved on leaving the older boys with the stock to follow as soon as they could. A Sunday came, and grass for the cattle had given out. The boys thought it necessary to move to pastures new and did so, but with condemning consciences and a feeling that if their father had been there he would not have allowed it. Reaching their new possessions, they lived in the wagons until a rude cabin could be built. That same fall a better cabin was erected and the first was used for a stable. After a few years a frame house was built. This was moved away in 1845, when a much larger and better house took its place.

WILLIAM HOPKINS, first child of Archibald Hopkins and Elizabeth Poag, was a medium-sized man, five feet ten inches tall, had a sandy complexion, was nervous, wiry, quick in his movements, and palsied somewhat in later life, hands and head shaking. He was a very strong man, and used an axe well. He always attended the "raisings," and carried a corner up alone. He came to Illinois in 1833 on a prospecting tour, and made a claim near Florid. He went home, intending to move his family West, but his father, Archibald Hopkins, heard of his plans, and said, "Tut, tut, William, this will never do." They always obeyed "Old Archie," and for two years William waited. He then returned to Illinois and bought the claim of Alexander Laughlin, entering the land east of Granville, Ill., where his grandson, A. W. Hopkins, now lives. He shortly afterwards brought his family to the new home, where he lived and died. He is buried in the Granville cemetery.