Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 426
THOMAS J. HOPKINS, a farmer residing on section 23, Moscow Township, was born in Polk County, Mo., on the 19th of October, 1843. His father Hiram Hopkins was a native of East Tennessee, and during his youth removed with his parents to Missouri. He was united in marriage in Polk Co., of that State, with Miss Amanda Jennigan, who died when our subject was a little child. The husband was again united in marriage, and several children were born to him. He continued to reside on the old homestead of his father until his death.

Our subject was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and was educated in the common schools of his native State. He remained under the parental roof until the breaking out of the Civil War, when, stirred by patriotic impulses, and feeling it his duty to defend the Union, he enlisted in his country's service Nov. 1, 1861. He was assigned to Company E, 6th Missouri Cavalry, and served for three years, participating in many important battles, among which was that of Wilson's Creek, where Gen. Lyon, the gallant hero, fell. He also took part in the engagements at Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove, participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the capture of Little Rock, and later served in Missouri and Arkansas until the close of his term of service, when he received his discharge Nov. 1, 1864. He escaped without wounds, but his health was much impaired, and he still suffers from the exposures and hardships which form a part of war.

After the close of hostilities, our subject returned to his home, where he remained until 1873, at which time he went to Texas, where he remained for two years. In 1875, going to the Indian Territory, he began working in the Chickasaw Nation, where he remained for considerable time, and in June, 1877, came to Muscatine County. On the 20th of February,1880, he led to the marriage altar Miss Catora Eveland, a daughter of Joseph and Eveline Eveland. her father is now deceased and our subject and his wife reside on the farm of Mrs. Eveland, who makes her home with them. Their union has been blessed with five children--Jimmie, Eveline, Nellie Belle, Johnnie and Willie. Our subject is numbered among the worthy and respected citizens of Muscatine County.

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