Benjamin and Rebecca Griest Hopkins

Benjamin Cavender Hopkins was the second son of William Griffith Hopkins and Nancy Cavender. He was born in Warren County, Ohio before the family moved to Indiana. He married Rebecca Griest, daughter of John Griest and Hannah Edmundson of Jay County, Indiana. They had three sons and one daughter.

Like all of William Hopkins' children, Benjamin was raised in the Quaker faith, but he became a minister in the United Bretheren Church and then a Methodist after he was grown, and was a minister in that church in Winchester, Randolph County. He was a strong believer in keeping the Sabbath, and campaigned for that as a minister, as attested to below. He was visiting the merchants of Winchester, trying to convince them to close on Sundays, when he died. He is buried in the Fountain Park cemetery in Winchester in an unmarked grave.

Note: Some of the information about these families comes from the book The Family of Thomas and Elizabeth Morsell Edmundson by William Edmundson.

Death Notice

Winchester Journal, Vol XVXI, Wednesday, February 10, 1892

Hopkins: -- Benjamin Cavender Hopkins was born in Warren County, Ohio, Feb. 6, 1837, and died in Winchester, Ind. Feb. 1, 1892, aged fifty-five years, eleven months and twenty-three days.

Those who are familiar with his manner of life in the eight years that he has been a citizen of this city, know better of his sterling qualities of his character than we can represent them in this brief memorial. He was a minister of influence in the Church of the United Bretheren in Christ for a number of years, but within the last year and a half has been a member of the M. E. Church of this city; within the time of his connection with this Church, his place has not been vacant at any of the regular services, but a very few times, and then was detained by circumstances unavoidable. He was a man of deep convictions, and strict integrity, faithful in the practice of what he believed to be right. His convictions concerning the Christian Sabbath as a divine institution, the observance of which he considered obligatory upon all found, expressions in the following petitions, looking to better and more general observance of the day: "We the undersigned ministers and pastors of the different Churches of the town of Winchester, Ind., inasmuch as we believe that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, do earnestly desire and request that the business houses be closed on the Sabbath day, and that the proprietors do not engage in the sale of groceries, meat, or any other merchandise except in cases of necessity or acts of charity, as provided by law," And in the following:

"We the undersigned, recognizing the relation of the pastors of the several Churches, sustain to the moral welfare of the community, their sincere desire to encourage the attendance at their Church services of the business men of this city, as well as to offer opportunity of being with their families Sabbath afternoons, do hereby accede to the terms as in the foregoing request." He did not live, however, to carry out his purpose; and with the work only half done, he ceased at once to live and labor; so sudden was his dissolution that it may be truly said, "He died in the harness," falling in the street on his usual round of business, and expiring in a few minutes. He leaves a wife, three sons, and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.

HOPKINS Benjamin C.

b. Feb. 6, 1837 in Warren Co. OH. He lacked 5 days being 55y of age when he d. Feb. 1, 1892. Bur. Fountain Pk. Cem. Surv. are the widow, Rebecca (Grist) Hopkins b. Tenn and 3 children. A dt. Amy Ann d. Mar. 6, 1890 ae 23y of Catarral fever.

Death Notice

W. D. November 26, 1903

Hopkins - Mrs. R. G. Hopkins died at the home of her son, R. G. Hopkins, in this city, last Saturday, at the age of 67 years, 10 months and 11 days.

She was born in Pennsylvania in '36 and was the mother of T. G. and Will Hopkins of this city and E. B. Hopkins of Lynn. The funeral services took place Tuesday at 10 a. m. at the Methodist Church.

William Griffith Hopkins

Steuben Republican, August 12, 1942, page 1, columns 7-8.

William G. Hopkins was born in Jay county, Indiana, March 22, 1868, and passed away very suddenly August 4, 1942, at his home a mile and a half west of Angola. He had been about his usual work in his usual health and had attempted to run his lawn mower when he came in the house drawing his chair near to his wife's chair and sat down and without warning passed away. He was the son of Benjamin A. [sic] and Rebecca G. Hopkins. His early life was spent in and around Winchester, Ind. In the Winchester schools he was an earnest and well balanced student, he took a serious part in school affairs, in recreations and sports and laid the foundations of a tolerant, generous and helpful future.

March 12, 1892, he was married to Miss Laura A. Simmons, of Winchester. There were born to them three sons, two of whom preceded in death.

Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins celebrated their golden wedding this year in the apartment of his son Theodore in the fine new city hall. This was to him a very pleasant day as many of his friends came to wish him and his good wife all possible joy in the years to come.

Mr. Hopkins was known throughout Indiana. He was an efficient accountant. In his early manhood he served as the cashier for the B. & O. Railroad at Louisville. He gained much experience in insurance work in a number of Indiana cities. From 1921 to 1933 he was division chief for the Department of Internal Revenue with offices in Logansport, South Bend, and Fort Wayne.

Among his good friends were Senator James Watson who found a refuge and means of refreshment again and again, when he sought some relief from the burdens of his office, in the home of Mr. Hopkins. Other close friends were Governor Goodrich and Vice President Fairbanks. Many through the state found in his reliability and ripe wisdom the counsel that gave them hope and encouragement.

Locally no man made more friends, no man had been more appreciated, no man more widely accepted in business circles, no man more welcomed in helping pressed men to untangle the troubles and intricacies of business. His early church life was in Winchester and New Albany; at New Albany his church membership still stands unsullied. The city mourns his going and many expressions of sympathy have been spoken for his bereft family. He leaves his wife Laura, his son Theodore and Theodore's wife Jane, and his grandson William.

Funeral Services were held in the Klink Funeral Home, Friday, August 7, conducted by Rev. John Humfreys, D. D., and the burial was at Circle Hill, Angola, Ind.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our deep appreciation to all of our friends for their kindness and assistance during our great sorrow. The neighbors and ladies of the Hoosier Hills Club were especially kind and we appreciate it very much.

Mrs. Laura Hopkins and Family

Former Angola Lady Dies In Indianapolis

Steuben Republican, March 5, 1947, page 1, column 7.

Mrs. Laura Ann Hopkins, widow of the late William Hopkins, died Saturday in Indianapolis after a long illness. Mrs. Hopkins was the mother of the late Theodore Hopkins, Angola police chief, whose death preceded his mother's by only three weeks.

The Hopkins family lived at Lake James for nearly thirty years, coming here from Louisville, Ky., for the benefit of Mrs. Hopkins' health. They built the stucco summer cottage home at Mountain Park, near Glen Eden on the east side of Lake James, where they extended hospitality to hosts of friends throughout the years. In 1939, they sold the lake home, and moved to a country home west of Angola.

Shortly after their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1942, Mr. Hopkins died suddenly from a heart attack, and since that time, Mrs. Hopkins has lived with her sister and a brother in Indianapolis, making only occasional visits to Angola.

Of a kindly and thoughtful disposition, Mrs. Hopkins leaves a host of friends, who remember her hospitality and warm friendliness. She was a former member of the Daughters of American Revolution and of the Hoosier Hills club, a social group.

Born in Randolph county, September, 1871, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Reeves Simmons, she spent her girlhood in Winchester, continuing to live there for several years following her marriage in 1892 to William Hopkins. Three children were born, two of them passing away while still very young, and only the son, Theodore, grew to manhood. The Hopkins family also lived for a time in New Albany and in Louisville, and in later years spent much time in Fort Wayne where Mr. Hopkins was stationed as Deputy Revenue Collector of the Federal Government.

Mrs. Hopkins had been in failing health for several years, and during the past few weeks, her physical condition had been so frail that it was not deemed wise to tell her of the passing of her son, Theodore, whose death on February 8 followed an illness of only a week's duration.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hopkins were conducted by Dr. John Humfreys at the Klink Funeral Home on Tuesday afternoon and burial was in Circle Hill. She is survived by two sisters, two brothers, the daughter-in-law, Jane, widow of Theodore Hopkins, and a grandson, William, student at Ball State Teacher's College.

Angola Police Chief, 54, Dies

(Special to the Journal-Gazette)

Angola, Feb 8 - Theodore Hopkins, 54, police chief here, died suddenly at noon today of a heart ailment. He suffered a heart attack last Sunday, but his condition was not considered critical.

Chief Hopkins was well known to Angola school children, having always directed traffic at the school crossing. He attended Tri-State College and was a member of the Sphinx Club.

A resident here many years, he is survived by the wife, Jane, one son William, Ball State College, and his mother, Mrs. William Hopkins, Indianapolis.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Klink Funeral Home with Dr. John Humfreys and the Rev. Harold Finley officiating. Burial will be in Circle Hill Cemetery.

City Police Chief Died After Heart Attack

(Feb. 8 1947)

Last Rites Attended By Many Citizens Tuesday Afternoon

Theodore E. Hopkins, chief of the Angola Police Department, died at his apartment home in the Angola city building shortly before 11:00 o'clock last Saturday forenoon, after having been confined for a few days with a heart ailment. Chief Hopkins had been about his regular duties on the previous Sunday, and was taken suddenly ill that afternoon, although he had not felt well for several days prior to the attack. The nature of his illness was not readily diagnosed, and for a time he seemed to improve, but subsequent attacks came through the week and physicians in consultation pronounced the trouble as coronary occlusion. Mr. Hopkins suffered a relapse Saturday morning and grew steadily worse.

Mrs. Hopkins and their son, William, were present at the bedside. The son is a student in Ball State College at Muncie and had arrived home on Friday evening after being told of his father's illness.

Mr. Hopkins, a veteran of the first World War, was well known in the community, due in part to his position in the police department, and also as custodian of the city building. He was also active in Angola Post of the American Legion, which he served as Commander for the 1945-1946 term. He gained many friends in his official contacts with people in general, and was a great favorite among the school children of the city to whom he gave his personal attention in direction and protection to and from school sessions.

He was well known by state police and F.B.I. agents to whom he gave full cooperation in analyzing law violations in the area.

Funeral services for Chief Hopkins were held at the Klisk Funeral Home on Tuesday at 2:00 and burial was in Circle Hill cemetery. Dr. John Humfreys gave the funeral address, and was assisted in the service by Rev. Harold Finley, pastor of the Congregational church. Mayor E. D. Willis prepared and read the story of Mr. Hopkins' life. The services were attended by a large crowd of friends and associates as well as business men of the city. Business houses closed from 1:30 to 3:00 during the funeral. Groups attending the phooquies? in a body included the mayor and city council, the fire department, the police department, and about a dozen state troopers and other officers. Members of the American Legion served as bearers. The funeral cortege was headed by the city police car and two cars of state troopers as an honor escort and the Angola city officials. Street intersections were patrolled by members of the fire department in uniform. The flag at the American Legion House in the line of the procession was flown at half staff during the services.

Mr. Hopkins had proven himself a valuable officer during the service in the police department and had done much toward developing a harmonious and efficient standing among his associate officers, and his service to the people of the city had been almost invaluable. The duties of a police officer frequently draws harsh criticism from both well meaning and designing people, but it is generally acknowledged that Mr. Hopkins was never charged with any other than the highest of motives and conduct in his official duties.

Story of His Life

Theodore Edwin Hopkins, the son of Mr. And Mrs. William G. Hopkins, was born in Winchester, Ind., February 18, 1893, and passed away in Angola after a short illness on Saturday, February 8, 1947, aged nearly 54 years. His youth was spent in Winchester, the family moving to Louisville, Ky., and New Albany, Ind., where he attended the public schools and acquired commercial school training. Due to his mother's ill health the family moved to Lake James in 1911, where they resided for a number of years. He joined the hospital corps of the 3rd Indiana Infantry of the Indiana National Guard, under command of Major Frank H. Humphreys, and was enlisted in U. S. Service for the Mexican Border uprising in 1914. Later he was enlisted in the medical corps of the 137th Field Artillery, 28th Division in the first World War, serving for nearly two years. He was discharged March 16, 1915, and returned to Angola to make his permanent home. For a time, he was engaged with his father in the sale of stocks and bonds, and in establishing loan companies. Later he was engaged in business at Warren, Ind., and still later was employed as a salesman for the Standard Oil Company.

Mr. Hopkins was married to Beulah Jane Thompson in Angola on August 10, 1917. To this union was born one son, William L., who is pursuing courses in Ball State College at Muncie after three years and nine months service in World War II.

Mr. Hopkins was employed as a custodian of the new city building, Mrs. Hopkins and he moving into the apartment there when the building was completed in August, 1939, where they have since made their home. He was employed on the police force in 1939, and was promoted to the position of department chief August 1, 1945, in which capacity he served capably until the time of his death. As chief of police he gained the confidence and friendship of many people, both civilians and law enforcement officers. He was tactful and helpful with those with whom he came in contact, but none the less firm and fearless in maintaining the dignity and respect for law and order.

As an officer he was always seeking every opportunity by contacts and by study to make himself more proficient. He took particular pride in the meticulous care of the city building placed in his charge. In his official capacity he was always calm, patient and exceedingly loyal to his superiors, and he occupied a position in the city government that will be very hard to fill.

A number of letters at various times have been received in the mayor's office from people, who, passing through the city, were befriended or assisted, or perhaps admonished kindly for a minor infraction, and who expressed appreciation of the courtesy and the kindness extended by the police chief.

And by no means least was the extreme high regard and love expressed by the school children of the community who Chief Hopkins had assisted and protected as they went about the streets. To them he was a real comdrade and friend, and the deepness of their regard was evidenced as they streamed into these rooms in the last two days to get a last farewell glimpse of their friend and benefactor.

Mr. Hopkins served as commander of Angola Post of the American Legion for the 1945-46 term. He was a member of the Indiana Association of chiefs of police. He was also a Past Master of Angola Lodge F. & A. M., and a past commander of the Mexican Border Veterans Association, of which organization he was a national trustee at the time of his passing. He was also a member of the Sphinx club organized here some years ago. Mr. And Mrs. Hopkins were members of the First Congregational church of Angola, and also enjoyed the sociability of a group of six couples in a local supper club. Besides his wife and son, Mr. Hopkins is survived by his aged mother, who lives in Indianapolis and also a number of relatives at Winchester and other points in Indiana and a host of friends in this community who mourn his passing away.

Funeral Program

Theodore E. Hopkins

Born
February 19, 1893

Passed Away
February 8, 1947

Services at
Klink Funeral Home
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1947
at two o'clock P.M.
The Reverend
Dr. John Humphreys
Assisted by Harold Finley
Officiating

Interment
Circle Hill Cemetery

Beulah Jane Hopkins

(March 5, 1905 - June 2, 1976)

Steuben Republican, June 9, 1976, page 13, column 4.

Widow of Theodore Hopkins, Beulah Jane Hopkins, 85, of Beatty Apartments, Angola, died Wednesday morning, June 2, in the Carlin Park Nursing Home, Angola.

Services were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, June 4, at Klink Memorial Chapel, Angola, with Reverend Karl Kirkman, pastor of the Angola Congregational Church, officiating. Interment followed in Circle Hill Cemetery.

A son, William Hopkins, of Angola, survives.

Mrs. Hopkins was born April 23, 1891, at Warren, the daughter of John and Elvira (Jones) Thompson.

She was a member of the Angola Congregational Church, a Past President of Angola Post 31, American Legion Auxiliary; and a charter member of the World War I Veterans Auxiliary.

William L. Hopkins

May 9, 1922 - Nov 25, 1988

Angola Herald-Republican, November 30, 1988, page 2A, column 2.

William L. Hopkins, 66, died Friday, Nov. 25, in Parkview Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne.

He was born in Warren to Theodore E. and Beulah Jane Thompson Hopkins on May 9, 1922.

Mr. Hopkins was a retired maintenance worker for Tri-State University and was a resident of Angola.

He was a veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion Post 31, and 40 and 8.

Services were Monday at Klink's Funeral Home in Angola, Rev. J. Glenn Radcliffe officiated. A legion memorial service was held Sunday evening. Burial was in Circle Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to an organization or charity of the donor's choice.

Desendants of Benjamin Cavender Hopkins

I've prepared a register report in pdf format for the descendants of Benjamin and Rebecca Griest Hopkins. It contains more details about the lives of the members of this family.

Family Photos

William L. Hopkins Courtesy of William Edmundson (See Note 1)	Theodore G. Hopkins Courtesy of William Edmundson (See Note 1)	Edwin, Marie & Delia Hopkins
Note 1: These two photos were scanned from the book The Family of Thomas Edmundson and Elizabeth Morsell Edmundson by William Edmundson, with his kind permission.	Theodore G. Hopkins	Elmyra Hopkins Fraze
	This may be the grave marker of Benjamin C. Hopkins (in Fountain Park Cemetery).

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This file was last updated on 7/10/2019.