My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Wellington S. Hopkins, M. D. No science has kept more thoroughly apace with the growth of the country, or has made greater developments within the past fifty years, than has, perhaps, the medical science, though it may be often abused by ignorant practitioners who are to be found in every community; still a worthy and skillful physician is soon recognized and patronized accordingly. Among the very prominent and successful young physicians of Polk County, Mo., is Dr. W. S. Hopkins, whose name heads this page. He was born in Polk County April 15, 1862, and is the son of Hiram and Elizabeth Jane (Williams) Hopkins. Dr. Hopkins’grandfather, James Hopkins, Sr., was born in Orange County, N. C, in 1764 (the youngest son of his parents), and entered the Revolutionary War at the age of sixteen, serving through the greater portion of that conflict; he was honorably discharged for disability received while in the service. His father emigrated to North Carolina from Wales, in a very early day. Hiram Hopkins was the youngest son of James Hopkins, Sr., and was born in Wilson County, Tenn., March 17, 1817. With his father he emigrated to Illinois the year that State was admitted to the Union, then returned to Tennessee, then to Missouri in 1833, and again to Illinois, coming thence to Polk County, Mo., in 1835, where he, with others, had several skirmishes with the Indians. He died on the old home stead in Polk County, February 11, 1878. Hiram Hopkins was married twice, and became the father of one child by his first wife. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Jane Williams, of Polk County, Mo., where she grew to womanhood. She died September 26, 1868. He was a farmer by occupation, and in connection was engaged in merchandising. He was a Republican in politics, was in the Home Guards during the war, and was one of the prominent men of Polk County, having filled the office of judge of the county court for a number of years. He died on the old homestead in Polk County, February 11, 1878, and the mother also died in the same county, September 26, 1869. To his second marriage were born eight children, seven now living. The grandparents on both sides were natives of North Carolina. Dr. W. S. Hopkins began the study of medicine under Dr. Drake, of Polk County, in 1884, remained thus employed for several months, and then entered the Missouri Medical College in October of the same year. Later he returned and practiced in Cedar County during vacation, under Dr. M. B. Wooldridge, but returned to the college in October, 1885, where he graduated March 2, 1886, with the degree of M. D. He then returned to Cedar County, and resumed the practice of medicine until November, 1886, when he moved to Fair Play and entered upon a successful practice. He was married March 17, 1887, to Miss Elsie M. Paynter, of Cedar County, who was born February 28, 1869, and grew to womanhood in Cedar County, Mo. She attended the common schools, and also three terms at a select school at Stockton. She is the daughter of Judge C. W. Paynter, of Cedar County, Mo. May 24, 1887, Dr. Hopkins formed a co-partnership with Dr. M. D. Brewer, and this continued until October 5, 1888. He engaged in the drug business with Dr. Brewer in May, 1887, but the store was burned September 18 of the same year, with no insurance.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Polk County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.