FRANK HOPKINS. A man who has ever been useful in his community, and an
able assistant in promoting its material interests, Frank Hopkins,
postamaster at Makanda, has been, a resident of the place for many years,
and has well performed his part in sustaining the intellectual and moral
status of this section of Jackson county. He was born April 13, 1851, near
Bloomfield, Stoddard county, Missouri, and is of excellent New England
stock.
His father, James Carroll Hopkins, a native of Rhode Island,
studied surveying when young, and later, as a civil engineer in the employ
of the United States Government, laid out the Pan Handle section of Texas.
He was given a grant of a league and labore of land, and as a man and a
citizen became so prominent and popular that when Hopkins county, Texas, was
organized it was named in his honor. His death, which occurred in 1858, was
the result of a fall. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and a strong
supporter of John C. Fremont. He was a devout member of the Methodist
church, in which he often preached. When about forty-five years of age he
married Lovina Sifford, a native of North Carolina, and of the four children
born of their union two are now living, as follows: Frank, the special
subject of this brief personal record; and Mrs. M. J. McCullum, of
Bloomfield, Missouri. A short time after the death of her husband she was
accidentally shot, and her youngest child, then an infant, was killed.
Brought up in Missouri during his boyhood days, Frank Hopkins not only
received an excellent training in the various branches of agriculture, but
as a hunter became an expert in gunning and trapping. At the age of
seventeen years he came to Illinois, locating in Williamson county, where he
worked during the summer seasons as a farm hand, and for two winters
attended the district schools. An industrious and intelligent student, he
acquired an excellent education, and subsequently taught school in both
Jackson and Williamson counties and in southeastern Missouri. When ready to
settle permanently he accepted a position as clerk in the general store of
Captain Bailey, who was postmaster, and in the summer seasons had charge of
the post office, while during winter time he taught school, having been made
postmaster on March 18, 1872. He subsequently completed the course of study
at the State Normal School in Carbondale, after which he attended Valparaiso
University, in Valparaiso, Indiana. He became well versed in law, and was
admitted to the bar in Missouri, but his professional practice has since
been confined to the justice courts. On May 30, 1889, Mr. Hopkins was
appointed postmaster at Makanda, by President Harrison, and served four
years, when, under President Cleveland's administration, he was relieved. In
1897 he was again appointed postmaster, and has served continuously since,
being well qualified for the position, and popular with the patrons of the
post office.
Mr. Hopkins married, May 24, 1885, Melissa J. Johnson,
and into the household thus established two children have been born, namely:
David Llewellyn, who is a bridgeman for the Free Bridge at Saint Louis; and
John James, whose earthly life was of short duration, covering a period of
twelve months and twelve days. Mrs. Hopkins is a capable and estimable
woman, and is now serving as assistant postmistress. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Hopkins are valued members of the Congregational church.
Politically
Mr. Hopkins is an ardent supporter of the principles promulgated by the
Republican party, and has filled the various village and township offices
with acceptance to all. Fraternally he belongs to Makanda Lodge, No. 434,
Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, of which he is worshipful past
master.
Extracted from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 2, pages 585-586.