H. H. Hopper, a well known plumber and machinist of Staunton, comes
rightly by his trade, as his father was in the same line of business for
a number of years and the talents of the parent were inherited in a
goodly measure by the son. He is a native of Illinois, born in
Montgomery county, June 29, 1871, his parents being Jerry R. and Rebecca
(Royland) Hopper. The father was a native of Greensboro, North Carolina,
and the mother of Virginia. Mr. Hopper learned the plumbing trade, in
which he was engaged at the outbreak of the Civil war. Having been born
in the south, he was in hearty sympathy with the Confederate cause and
enlisted in the army, serving throughout the entire war. He engaged in
many of the principal battles and movements and was present at the first
battle of Bull Run and at Gettysburg. Being a skilled marksman, he was
selected as a sharpshooter and served under General Wade Hampton, and
was in Lee’s army at the time of the surrender at Appomattox. In 1868,
like thousands of young men of the south, he came west and located in
Montgomery county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. He died upon
the home farm in 1889, his wife having passed away three years earlier.
The grandfather of our subject at the outbreak of the Civil war was the
owner of thirty-six slaves. There were thirteen children in the family
of Mr. and Mrs. Hopper, the youngest of whom died in infancy. The others
were: Agnes, who is now deceased; Anna, who is the wife of Fred Huber,
of Granite City, Illinois; Addie, the wife of F. N. Pacely of Montgomery
county, Illinois; H. H., of this review; Beulah, who married Edward
Osborn, of Redmond, Iowa; William, who is deceased; Jerry, of Granite
City; Eugene, a machinist of Coffeen; Hattie, who is the wife of J.
Savage, of Coffeen; Ruby, who married Charles Nimmons, of Litchfield,
Illinois; Bertha, the wife of Edward Adkins, of St. Louis, Missouri; and
Catherine, who married William Hoffman, of Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Hopper, whose name introduces this sketch, attended the common
schools and continued at home until sixteen years of age. He learned the
plumber’s trade and traveled extensively in various parts of the
country, working as plumber, engineer, electrician and machinist and
becoming thoroughly acquainted with the various branches named. In 1895
he located at Staunton, where he opened a plumbing establishment, and
does all kinds of work connected with plumbing, heating, automobile
repairing, etc. He carries a complete line of supplies and his shop is
one of the best equipped of the kind in this part of the state. He has
prospered in his business and each year witnesses a gratifying increase
in patronage.
In 1898 Mr. Hopper was married to Augusta Fritz, a
daughter of Edmond Fritz, a pioneer of Staunton. Fraternally he is
connected with the Masonic order, holding membership in the blue lodge,
chapter and commandery. He and his wife are also members of the Order of
the Eastern Star. A man of good business judgment, prompt, energetic and
efficient, he has made a success of his calling and his patrons are
numbered among the best citizens of the city and surrounding country.
His wife has proved a worthy helpmeet and companion and their home is a
favorite gathering place of friends and acquaintances, who are always
assured of a cordial greeting.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 692-693.
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