Thomas P. Hopp
HOPP, GANBY, WILLERTON, STILLWELL, CROSBY
Posted By: IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 11/23/2007 at 04:44:56
THOMAS P. HOPP is a pioneer merchant of Bridgeport, Washington, where he still conducts a large establishment, carrying general merchandise, agricultural implements, and buying grain. He commenced here in a very small way, selling goods on commission, adding to his greatly increasing trade until his present large holdings have been acquired and he has also won the respect and esteem of all who know him.
Thomas P. Hopp was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on January 20, 1863. His father, John F. Hopp, was a native of Germany and a pioneer settler in Iowa, in 1845. He served three years in Company F., Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry* during the Rebellion and is now a member of the G. A. R. The mother of our subject, Sarah (Ganby) Hopp, was a native of Pennsylvania.
Thomas was educated in the common schools and completed his training in the Iowa University, then learned the creamery business and the printer's trade. In 1881, being just eighteen years of age, he went to South Dakota and engaged in the newspaper business for several years. During this time he established four papers, all of which are thriving to-day and among them may be mentioned the 'Medicine Valley Times'. In 1888, he came to Washington and during the succeeding few years, he established the first Union City paper, the 'Globe' at Marysville, and The 'Bridgeport Standard'. Later, from 1888 to 1892, he was special agent of the United States treasury, located at Whatcom, and during this time seized large amounts of opium. In February, 1893, he came to Bridgeport and started the newspaper mentioned above, and in 1898 opened a mercantile establishment in a small way, as stated previously.
He also in addition to his business, owns a good farm and does general farming and stock raising. He was postmaster here for four years and in 1903 was appointed United States commissioner by Judge Hanford. He was appointed notary public under Governors McGraw and Rogers. Mr. Hopp has a well assorted stock of merchandise, and his store is well patronized by all. His uniform and upright methods of doing business and his geniality to all have won and improved this excellent patronage.
Mr. Hopp has the following brothers and sisters, George W., John, Jacob W., Henry, and Mrs. Mary A. Willerton.
In Clark, South Dakota, in November, 1890, Mr. Hopp married Miss Abbie M. Stillwell. Her father, Edward C. Stillwell, was a native of Indiana and served in the Rebellion. He now belongs to the G. A. R. and is doing a mercantile business. Mrs. Hopp was born in Ohio, on December 28, 1873, and has one brother, Newton E., and one sister, Mrs. Maude E. Crosby. To this couple six children have been born, F. Roscoe, Dora L., Grace E., Maude M., Arthur G., and Alva L.
Mr. Hopp is a member of the M. W. A., and the I. O. O. F., and was raised under the influence of the Lutheran church.
~"An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
*Please read the reply to this bio - his Civil War service record has been corrected
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