Husband James Herron Hopkins 1 2 3 4
Born: 3 Nov 1831 - Washington Co, PA 1
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Died: Aft 1902
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Father: Hon. William Hopkins (1804-1873) 3 4 5 6
Mother: Rachel Herron (1804-1886) 3 7
Marriage: 19 Oct 1871 1
Wife Anna Margaret Schissler 1 2 8
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Father: Hiram Schissler ( -1882) 2
Mother: Margaretta Rebecca Mitchell Gibson (1823-1879) 2 9
Children
1 F Katharine Virginia "Kate" Hopkins 2 8
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2 M William F. Hopkins 2 8
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3 M James Herron Hopkins 2 8
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General Notes: Husband - James Herron Hopkins
Immediately after graduating with honor at Washington College he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he read law with the late Hon. Wilson McCandless, a judge of the United States Court, and while yet in his minority he was admitted to the Allegheny County bar in 1852. From that time Mr. Hopkins made his home in Pittsburgh. His success as a lawyer was immediate, and continued uninterrupted for twenty years, when failing health compelled him to relinquish it for a more healthful pursuit.
The Democratic party, of which Mr. Hopkins was an earnest member, was for many years in a hopeless minority in Allegheny County. Notwithstanding this discouraging circumstance he steadfastly and actively maintained his connection with its fortunes, and led more forlorn hopes than any other Democrat in the state. This might seem to imply that he was an office-seeker, but such implication wrongs him and the party that often, against his will, placed him at the front as the most popular standard-bearer. When a candidate he always ran ahead of his party vote. In 1864 he ran for Congress against Gen. Moorhead, and again in 1870 against Gen. Negley. In 1872 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress from the state at large. In 1874 he once more ran for Congress against his old opponent, Gen. Negley, whom he defeated by two thousand three hundred and fourteen votes. He was a candidate for Governor in the Democratic convention of 1882, but was defeated, after a close contest, by six votes by Mr. Pattison, of Philadelphia.
Mr. Hopkins was one of the most prominent Masons in America, and filled its highest offices. He was elected Grand Master of Knights Templar at New Orleans in 1874.
After quitting the practice of the law he was engaged in the banking business; was president of the Penn Bank of Pittsburgh, also of the Real Estate Savings Bank. He was also president of the Union Insurance Company, and of a life insurance company. He was vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, and prominent in its councils.
Mr. Hopkins was tall and slight in figure, but had a compact build, which gave one the impression of agility with endurance. He possessed a pleasant face, a most affable manner, and precisely that suavity of address which provokes confidence and cordiality.
During his arduous services as a lawyer he managed to find time for travel during brief holidays and for the cultivation of literature. His communications to newspapers and magazines were marked with vigor and scholarship. His letter descriptive of his journey among the Rocky Mountains and his travels abroad are among the best ever written on those themes. But it was as a politician, a politician in its worthiest sense, that Mr. Hopkins was best known. As a public speaker he was earnest, graceful, and eloquent, being one of the most popular of platform orators.
Although not a resident of Washington County, Mr. Hopkins owned considerable property there.
He was educated at Washington College-taking the first honor of his class. He studied law with Hon. Wilson McCandless, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and while yet in his minority was admitted to the bar of Allegheny County. In less than a year he found himself in possession of a fine practice, which grew so rapidly as time advanced, that at the expiration of the first decade of his professional career, no lawyer at the Pittsburgh bar had more cases in court, or was busier at office work. The enormous labor, as well as burdensome responsibility, was of course rewarded with a handsome income, but, unfortunately, this was followed by serious impairment of health, as the penalty of over-work, and he was obliged to retire from practice for a time. A change of climate was advised, and accordingly in 1870 he made a tour of Europe, not, however, in idle wanderings, but he spent much of his time in writing up his observations and experiences in the different countries he visited, for the Pittsburgh Post. These letters were so popular that afterward, in compliance with the request of the editor, he consented to their publication in book form. After his return, he was made president of a railroad company, president of a bank of discount, president of a savings bank, and president of a fire insurance company. He was also vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was always an earnest Democrat, and took an active part in politics ever since he attained his majority. The Democratic party of Allegheny county was long in a hopeless minority. Notwithstanding this circumstance, his party often (against his will) placed him at the front as the most popular standard-bearer. He was twice elected to Congress by a majority of 2,314 votes. An opposition paper said of Mr. Hopkins: "He is a gentleman of refinement and polished address. An earnest, graceful and eloquent speaker. Spotless in private life, his personal character has ever and still stands so high that no one has ever assailed it." As a member of Congress he rendered valuable services. He was the author of the first bill introduced to regulate inter-state commerce and unjust discrimination by common carriers. He originated and secured the passage of the bill to create a bureau of labor statistics. He introduced the first bill to prohibit aliens from acquiring large areas of the national domain. He was chairman of the committee on Centennial Celebration, and carried through Congress the act which made it a success. His best speeches in Congress were those on the Centennial Exposition, the regulation of inter-state commerce, the tariff, the creation of the labor bureau, the ownership of lands by aliens and the Electoral Commission. In 1882 he was a candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, and he came within four votes of receiving the nomination.
He was one of the most prominent Masons in America, and filled its highest offices. In the order of Knights Templar he had a special interest, and for three years was its chief officer, the Grand Master of the United States. For many years he was chairman of its committee of jurisprudence. He also delivered a series of lectures in aid of the Masonic Home for the Aged and Infirm. These gratuitous labors of kindness and charity were appreciated by the members of his fraternity, for at a conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States he was presented with a magnificent silver vase "in recognition," as the donors stated, "of distinguished services." [CBRWC, 34]
General Notes: Wife - Anna Margaret Schissler
from Frederick, MD