My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Brown County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1883.  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.

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JAMES HOPKINS, farmer, P. O. Higginsport, is a son of Archibald and Margaret (Shanklin) Hopkins, of Irish extraction, who were both born in Rockingham County, Va., where they married toward the close of the last century. That being a Slave State, he, in 1805, left it with his family, coming with three large wagons over land near Mayslick, Mason Co., Ky., where the same slavery existed, and on its account, in 1806, he came to Ohio, locating in what is now Brown County, near Ripley, on the land known as the Burget farm. Archibald was twice married, burying the first and marrying the second wife before coming to Ohio. His death occurred about the time of the war with Mexico, and his wife soon followed, By his two wives, he had sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters. All reached maturity, and three are now living; of the ten sons, two were patriots of the war of 1812, viz.: Robert and John. Archibald and family were members of the Presbyterian Church. James, our subject was the thirteenth child; he was born August 23,1803, in Rockingham County, Va., and as above given reached Ohio, where he has ever since resided, being probably one among the oldest citizens of Brown County. He has lived to see and assist in changing this county from its primeval forest to its high degree of cultivation.

During his early life, he obtained such an education as the schools afforded, and gave his time to his father until 1825, when he, with his brother Thomas, engaged in the mercantile trade in Ripley, which proved very successful. In the meantime, they graded and walled the bank of the river, along the town. At this place, they owned the first wharf boat, and were instrumental in building the Franklin Grist Mill. In 1838, James removed to the Franklin Mill, which he ran twelve years, and enjoyed a fine trade. In 1850, he sold the mill, but retained fifty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1855, when he sold that also and purchased his present farm of 166 acres in Lewis Township. It is admirably adapted to the raising of tobacco, of which he raises annually from ten to twelve acres. During life, he has devoted some time to the raising of fine cattle, hogs and horses. He claims the honor of introducing the Alderney cattle in this county. On August 13, 1877, he was maimed for life by having his left arm mangled in the wheels of a threshing machine. It was finally amputated, and though nearly seventy-five years of age, he withstood the suffering with great fortitude. He is now a man hale and hearty for his age, and has during life been blessed with good health. He has for many years, with his wife, been a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. On October 3, 1832, he married Nancy R. Clark, by whom eight children were born. They have one daughter, Sarah, who has been an invalid for several years. Mrs. Hopkins is a daughter of John, and granddaughter of Joseph Clark, who both came to Lewis Township in 1795. She was born June 13, 1815, in Lewis Township, where she enjoyed the common schools, and finished her education at the Ripley Seminary under the instruction of the Rev. John Ranken, a Presbyterian, who now is residing at Ironton, Ohio, nearly one hundred years of age.

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This family biography is one of 992 biographies included in The History of Brown County, Ohio published in 1883 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Brown County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Brown County, Ohio family biographies here: Brown County, Ohio Biographies

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