Husband Hon. William Hopkins 1 2 3 4
Born: 17 Sep 1804 - Washington Co, PA 1 2
Christened:
Died: 5 Mar 1873 - Washington Co, PA 5
Buried: - Washington Cemetery, Washington, Washington Co, PA
Father: Maj. Thomas Hopkins ( - ) 1 3 6 7
Mother: Catherine Hurd (Abt 1778- ) 1 3 7
Marriage: 1 Jan 1824 2 3
Wife Rachel Herron 3 8
Born: 10 Dec 1804 2
Christened:
Died: 16 Oct 1886 9
Buried:
Father: James Herron ( -1822) 10
Mother: Rachel Reed ( -1821) 11
Children
1 M Andrew Hopkins 3 5 9
Born:
Christened:
Died: 5 Mar 1880 9
Buried:
Spouse: Hannah M. List ( - ) 9
2 F Catherine M. "Kate" Hopkins 3 5 9
Born:
Christened:
Died: 1901 3
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
3 M James Herron Hopkins 3 4 12 13
Born: 3 Nov 1831 - Washington Co, PA 12
Christened:
Died: Aft 1902
Buried:
Spouse: Anna Margaret Schissler ( - ) 12 13 14
Marr: 19 Oct 1871 12
General Notes: Husband - Hon. William Hopkins
Although he received only such education as the schools of that day afforded, he was a reader, an observer, and a thinker, as his career fully showed. After leaving school he learned the trade of a tanner, and carried on that business for some years successfully.
His public career commenced at the early age of twenty-three. In 1827 he was commissioned by Governor Shultze as justice of the peace for Pike Run township. "In that comparatively humble office his capacity for public employment soon attracted the attention of his fellow-citizens."
In 1831 he was elected county auditor.
In 1834 he was elected to the State Legislature, and was re-elected in 1836, 1837, 1838, and 1839. He was Speaker of the House in 1838, 1839, and 1840. He was first chosen Speaker of the House at a time of the greatest public excitement, known as the Buckshot war. Military surrounded the State-house, and a bloody collision was imminent. Referring to Col. Hopkins in this connection, Hon. George W. Woodward, in the Constitutional Convention, said, "You, sir, and most of the members of the Convention, will refer to a period in our civil and political history of great interest, when but for the wisdom and firmness of this man, our Commonwealth might easily have been involved in the horrors of civil war. I have always felt that the public owed more to those qualities of that individual man for averting those calamities than to all other influences which were in operation at the time."
In 1840, Col. Hopkins was appointed commissioner of the Cumberland road by Governor Porter, which office he filled until 1842, when he was called into Governor Porter's cabinet as Secretary of the Land-office. Subsequently Col. Hopkins held the office of commissioner of the Cumberland road for five years.
In 1844, and again in 1848, Col. Hopkins was a candidate for Congress. Although there was a large Whig majority in the district, Col. Hopkins was so popular that he came within fifty-eight votes of being elected in 1848.
In 1852 he was elected Canal Commissioner, and served in that capacity for three years with that ability and integrity for which he was distinguished.
When not employed in more enlarged spheres of usefulness, Col. Hopkins was always interested and active in local affairs, and never refused his services to his friends and neighbors. In 1849 he served as a member of the Borough Council of Washington. In 1850 he was elected burgess. In 1857 and 1858 he served as assistant burgess. In his later years he was engaged in the banking business. He was deeply interested in the public school system, and served as school director.
In 1861 he was again elected to the House of Representatives, and was re-elected in 1862. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate, and for three years was recognized as a leader in that body. He was through life an ardent Democrat.
In 1872, Col. Hopkins was elected a member of the convention to revise the Constitution of Pennsylvania. He was chairman of the committee to revise and report amendments to the declaration of rights. It was he who penned the preamble, which was unanimously adopted, in these words: "We, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, recognizing the sovereignty of God and humbly invoking His guidance in our future destiny, ordain and establish this Constitution for its government."
While a member of the Constitutional Convention, Col. Hopkins started for a short visit to his home. On the cars he contracted a severe cold, which settled upon his lungs in the form of pneumonia, of which he died on after only a few days' illness.
The most marked traits of the character of Col. Hopkins are thus grouped by Rev. J. I. Brownson, D.D.: "Such a man could not but be extensively known and respected. In fact his mental force, discriminating judgment, urbanity, integrity, and kindness, joined with his facility as a writer and speaker, rising above the defects of early education, were a continual pledge of public favor and success. He was very firm in adhering to his own views, but considerate also of the opinions and feelings of others. In co-operation or in opposition he commanded respect. In private life, also, it was impossible not to realize the power of his politeness and his delicate regard to the sensibilities of all about him. His fondness for children seemed to increase with his years, showing itself both in a desire for their enjoyment and for their good. His fine business capacity was often taxed for the benefit of others, especially widows and orphans. In the hallowed circle of home he was the central object of uncommon reverence and affection, answering to his own peculiar love and tenderness within his domestic relations. But better than all is the witness he leaves behind him in his confession and life as a disciple of Christ, and in the repose of his heart upon the divine promises when called down into the valley and shadow of death."
Another said of him, "His judgment was remarkably sound and accurate, and, with his inflexible honesty, made him in public a leader of men, and in private life a trusted and confidential adviser and counselor. Few men in this county, or indeed in the State, have managed so many trusts, public and private, as were committed to him during his long and eventful life, and still fewer have discharged so many trusts so skillfully, so judiciously, and so successfully."
In the Constitutional Convention Judge Black, referring to the death of Mr. Hopkins, said,-
"I do not underestimate the very high qualities of my surviving associates in this body. I do not think, indeed, that any man here appreciates their various abilities and virtues more than I do; but I devoutly believe that there is no man in this convention that we could not have spared better than him who has gone.
"I do not propose to give an analysis of his character, and it is not necessary to repeat his history. I may say, for I know it, that he was in all respects the best balanced man that it was ever my good fortune to know. His moral and personal courage were often tested; he was one of the most fearless men that ever lived, yet all his measures were in favor of peace, and every one who knew him testifies to the gentleness and kindness of his manner."
Mr. Biddle said, "I well recollect being struck with the commanding figure and strongly-marked countenance, in the lineaments of which were unmistakably written simplicity and directness of purpose, integrity, and unswerving firmness. . . . He has rounded off a life of great moral beauty, of great usefulness, of great dignity by a fitting end, and he has fallen before decay had begun to impair his faculties."
The high appreciation of Col. Hopkins by the community in which he lived so long was strikingly marked at his funeral.
"During the day, while the body lay at the late residence of the deceased, it was looked upon by a large number of people, and as the hour for the services drew near the crowd in and around the house grew to immense proportions. The sorrow of the community was demonstrated by the closing of the public schools, and in many instances by all cessation from business. Everywhere there were evidences of the grief in the community, and the earnest sympathy felt for the bereaved friends of the deceased."
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. A. Holmes, D.D., of Allegheny City, Rev. H. C. Beacom, both of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. Brownson, of the First Presbyterian Church, Prof. Frazier, of the Second Presbyterian Church, Rev. George P. Hays, D.D., president of Washington and Jefferson College, all of whom had been warm personal friends of the deceased. An affecting feature of the display was the attendance of all the school children with their teachers. Then there was a long line of carriages, wagons, and other vehicles, and a large company who walked to the cemetery.
Col. Hopkins was buried in the Washington Cemetery, in the county which had always been his home, which had always honored him, and to which he was so strongly attached.
General Notes: Wife - Rachel Herron
She was the only daughter among her siblings, and when young in years and experience, kept house for the large family of brothers (until her marriage). She was a woman of remarkable personal beauty, much of which she retained through life. Her character was a lovable one. She was always patient, bright and sweet-tempered, considerate of others, utterly unselfish in all things. She considered no service too onerous, no sacrifice too great for those she loved, always ministering to the happiness of others, never thinking of herself.