HOPKIRK, Alexander - 1912 Bio (1853-1945)

HOPKIRK, RIPLEY, PHIPPS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/16/2007 at 10:42:28

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 198-199

Alexander HOPKIRK is a native of Lockridge township, born in October, 1853. His parents, William and Mary HOPKIRK, were natives of Scotland. His father came to this country when a youth and settled in Ohio where he was employed in woolen mills for four years. He then returned to Scotland to the "bonnie lassie" who had waited long for him. They were married and Mr. and Mrs. HOPKIRK made their bridal journey the voyage to America. They did not go to Ohio to begin housekeeping, however, but came at once to Jefferson county, Iowa, where Mr. HOPKIRK bought land. This he cleared and began to farm, continuing in this occupation until his death in 1892.

Alexander HOPKIRK was brought up on the home farm and sent to the district school which course he completed and supplemented with one year at Mt. Pleasant College. He then came home and assisted his father with the farm work. Just prior to his father's death he bought the home place of one hundred and sixty acres, improving and operating it until 1907 when he sold out and purchased forty acres near the town of Lockridge. Here he farmed for three years when he sold this place to his son, Raymond A., who is now cultivating it.

For a helpmate Alexander HOPKIRK chose Addie L. RIPLEY whom he married in the fall of 1881. Her parents lived and died in Maine, never following the moving current of population westward. To Mr. and Mrs. HOPKIRK were born three children. Nellie M. is married to Reverend Ernest PHIPPS, residing at Sigourney, Iowa. Raymond A., aged twenty, is cultivating the home farm in Lockridge township purchased of his father a year ago. He raises thirty head of hogs annually and owns four horses for work on the farm. Bessie L., aged seventeen, keeps house for her brother on the Lockridge farm. Mrs. HOPKIRK passed away in April, 1902, after a week's illness with measles.

For the past year Mr. HOPKIRK has been located on a fruit ranch in Colorado but his intention is to return to Jefferson county shortly. He is republican in his political sympathies, has been justice of the peace of this township and has acted as school director. In addition to his farming he taught school during the fall and winter terms for sixteen years. He belongs to the Baptist church which his children have also joined. Living in comfort and, long since free from the cares of winning a livelihood, he is enjoying the fruits of his conscientious labor in earlier years.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.