The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-05-02
Death of John C. Hopeueli.


which occurred at his residence in Elem
iugton at quarter past 10 o'clock on
Sunday morning, April Goth, our town
has lost one of its most valuable aud en-
terprising citizens, whose name is con.
nected prominently with every public inn
proyement that has advanced and modern
lied it aud mace it SO convenient aud de-
sirable place Of residence during the
past thirty years
MIR. Hopewell has been resident OF
Pennington continuously since 1854 He
was born at Mt Holly, N. j., Nov. 90,
1914, ard removed from there to Phia-
delphia In 1883 10 complete the hat
makers trade which he had begun in the
town of his birth. On Sept. 10, 1885, he
married Miss Ann Housed, Hunterdon
county lady, whose amiable qualities,
force of character, industry, aud devotion
to her husband and ambitions pride in
his advancement contributed very ma
terially to his prosperity. Her death oc-
CURED June 10, 1885. For a number of
years Mr.. IIopewell conducted hat store
in Philadelphia, and in 1S49 removed to
Pennington and established similar
business in building standing ON the
site now occupied by the new M. Il.
Church edifice. In few years he re-
turned to Philadelphia for a short time,
but in 1854 settled permanently in Flem-
ington, purchasing of Judge Brown the
house and some acres OF land adjoining,
situate at the north end of the town,
which be at once improved and beautified,
and where he continued to reside up to
the time of his death. In 1850 he con-
ceiyod the project of lighting the town
with gas, and being encouraged by q
number of citizens it was soon carried
into effect, thus placing us in advance of
many larger places. Through his energy
also, public water supply followed in
1869, and in 1864 our efficient steam fire
engine was secured by his suggestion and
aid. To 1868 Mr.. Hopewell leased both
the water aud gas works, aud became re-
sponsible for their successful manage
ment. He was one of the Directors of
the old Hunterdon County Bank, and
when, in 1865, it was converted into
National institution he was elected Vice
President, and in 1884 upon the death of
Charles Bartles, became It's President.
The large brick building where the bank
has its rooms was built by Mr.. Hopewell
10 1864. He was President of the old
Hunterdou Agricultural Society from 1858
to 1878, and helped to give that associa-
ton much Of the creditable distinction it
enjoyed during those years. The beauti-
full cemetery on the hill overlooking our
town on the west is also one of his cou-
ceptious. lie was one OF the first men,
bers Of the Board Of Street Commission
ers, and its first President. For many
years be had been Director of the Elem
| iBgtOn Railroad.
Mr.. Hopcwell's schemes aud enter
that conduced to the general welfare and
convenience of the people, and stamped
him as public-spirited man 10 the broad
est sense. He had the rare gift of ex.
pressing bis understanding Of project 10
language that bore only upon the matter
| in hand, thus always making himself in
telligible upon the main point. Aside
1 from his business talents he had many
qualities that made him an exceedingly
agreeable companion, social and chatty,
and entirely devoid Of affectation and
bombast or any desire to Haunt his sue.
cesses in the sight Of those less fortunate.
His business dealings were invariably
square, and often liberal. He had gen
erons allowance of the milk of human
kindness, and as an enduring encomium
as we can render him is to say that no de-
serving charity ever appealed to him 10
vain - HuRfeydon Democrat.