Elizabeth (Adee) Hopkins (abt. 1834)

Born about 1834 in Andes, Delaware, New York, United States

Ancestors

Wife of James Hopkins — married 1854 in Rock, Wisconsin, United States

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Biography

Elizabeth was born about 1834. She is the daughter of Joshua Adee and Elizabeth Peters.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wisconsin | Pages 513-514 ^[1]

JAMES HOPKINS, who has been a prominent and influential citizen of this county since 1848, and who resides, on section 3, Center Township, is an importer and breeder of fine horses. He was born in Sussex, England, March 12, 1827, and of a family of five children, was the fourth in order of birth. His parents, John and Sarah (Green) Hopkins, were also natives of Sussex and in that vicinity the father engaged in farming for many years. Accompanied by his family he left his native land in 1834, when James was but seven years old, and crossing the broad ocean became a resident of Canada. He located in Durham County, in the Province of Ontario, where he followed agricultural pursuits until the year 1848. He then came to Rock County Wis., where he purchased 320 acres situated on sections 3 and 10, Center Township, at $6 per acre. He became one of the leading farmers of the county and engaged in the cultivation of his land until 1853, when called from this earth by death at the age of seventy- seven years and seven months. His excellent wife survived him until 1876, when she too passed away, dying at the age of eighty-seven years and three months. The father never was an active politician, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests. Religiously, he was a member of the Episcopal Church, to which his family also belonged. Of his family, John is now married and is engaged in farming in Canada; William is married and resides in Union Township, Rock County; Sarah, now Mrs. Bowman, is living in Canada; James is the next in order of birth; George, who came to Rock County in 1846, making it his home until 1868, when he removed to Eden County, Mich., died in that county in 1876, leaving a family.

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life and in a little log house—one of the district schools of Canada—laid the foundation of his future career. He assisted his father in the cultivation of land until 1848, when he started out in life for himself, and emigrating to Rock County, Wis., purchased a farm of 320 acres in Center Township twenty-five acres of which had been broken, while the only other improvement upon the place was a little log cabin. With characteristic energy he began the work of developing a farm, and to the original purchase he has added until he is now the owner of 440 acres of fine arable land, which is highly improved and cultivated. The buildings upon the place, both the residence and the outbuildings, are of a substantial and handsome character, and it is chiefly owing to his own industry and good management that he is the possessor of such a fine property. Like all pioneers his earlier years in this county were spent in a log cabin, but as his financial resources increased, he erected the tine brick residence, which is now his home and which cost over $6,000. Other improvements to the amount of $6,000 have been made and the farm is one of the best in the county. Of late years he has given considerable attention to the breeding and raising of fine horses, including English Shire, Cleveland Bays and Yorkshire Coach. He makes his own purchases, going to England for that purpose, and the past year, 1888, made two importations. At his stables in Janesville, he has some very fine horses of specially high pedigree, and probably no man in the county has done more to advance the grade of stock than he. His office is with Mr. Holt in the city, and he also has a branch stable near the depot in Doe's Addition to Janesville. In connection with the breeding of horses he also makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle. He has lately erected a very large barn in Janesville, where he will keep most of his imported stock. In the cultivation of tobacco he is quite largely engaged.

In this county [Rock County, Wisconsin] in the year 1854, Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Adee, a native of the town of Andes, in Delaware Co., N. Y., and a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Peters) Adee, who were also born in that state. Her father was a farmer by occupation and resided in New York until his death, which occurred in 1841. His wdfe departed this life in 1851. The household circle of our subject and his wife was completed by the birth of three children—John R., who is married and is now engaged in farming in Sanborn County, Dak.; Amanda E., now Mrs. Stevens, of Center; and Sampson J., who makes his home in Janesville. He is connected with his father in the stock business and is an energetic and enterprising man. In politics, Mr. Hopkins is a Republican and has served his township as Side Supervisor. He bore a prominent part in the organization of the school districts and has always been in favor of any movement which is for the benefit of the community or is calculated to elevate the tone of society in general.

The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are given on the opposite page.

Sources

1. ↑ Portrait and biographical album of Rock County, Wisconsin, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state'.' Chicago, IL: Acme Publishing Company, 1889. Pages 513-514.

• Portrait and biographical album of Rock County, Wisconsin, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state'.' Chicago, IL: Acme Publishing Company, 1889. Pages 413-414. PDF of Scanned Book