The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-01-06
Obituary.

HOPKINS. just as the second morning of
the glad New Year broke over the sur
rounding hills, the Everlasting Gates "
were lifted up and the long g-enthralled spirit
of Colonel III. ID. Hopkins dropped it's
weary load of mortality and awakened to
Another morn than ours" However
just any tribute which may now be at
tempted, it will fall upon comparatively
dull ears, for fell disease having suddenly
terminated the active career of Colonel
Hopkins some sixteen years since the
social aud business life OF the community
has swept on, and it is only from the store
house of memory that any just apprecia-
tion can be drawn of the true character and
services of the deceased.
Hermon Danforth Hopkins was one of
eleven children of Henry and Lois Blasdel
Hopkins, and was born in Enosburgh, Vt,
April "a, 1923 His ancestry was of the
most pronounced Puritan and revolutionary
type, his great-grandfather having been
Major Wait Hopkins, an officer in the Rev.
olutionary army, who was killed by the In
dians near Lake George. Hermon's early
life was spent on the homestead farm, where
he enjoyed such educational advantages as
were common to the well-to-dO farmers OF
that day. In the summer of 1916 he came
to Montpelier and entered the office of the
Green Mountain Freeman, then conducted by
Joseph POland--at first as clerk and local
reporter, and as associate editor in 1S47-4S.
In lo49, the Vermont and Boston Express
company having been chartered the year
previous, Mr.. Hopkins became it's first
agent at Montpelier-a position which he
filled for twenty-five years, when his active
life suddenly terminated by reason of a
paralytic affection. He was also in charge
OF the Montpelier telegraph station for a
similar period OF time. But his exceptional
talent and taste for newspaper work fur
nished congenial employment for his lei
sure hours. Not only were the columns of
of faf NFN.
riched by his pen but for many years, over
the signature of "Deming," he was the
regular Vermont correspondent of the Bos-
ton Journal, Frequently these letters were
not only models of composition, but rich in
information concerning the public men and
material and moral issues of the hour He
was especially endowed with descriptive
powers; could delineate manner and char
acter to the life; and few men could "point
a moral or adorn tale " more effectively
than he.
Colonel Hopkins was also born musi-
clan, and the tones of his remarkably rich
tenor voice will not soon be forgotten by
those who listened as he led, for more than
a quarter of century, the choir in the
old Brick and new Bethany churches
in Montpelier He also often assisted in,
and several times conducted, the state mu-
steal conventions inaugurated by that vet
eran singer, Moses e, Cheney, in the early
days.
Having professed religion in his youth,
Mr.. Hopkins removed his church connec-
tion to Montpelier in 1S49, and faithfulness
TO the manifold duties OF church member-
ship was ever after the rule of his life.
For ten years and more he was the efficient
superintendent of Bethany Sunday.school,
The cause of temperance also found in him
a most earnest and efficient advocate
Somewhat reserved in manner, transpar-
emily honest, and utterly devoid of hattery,
Mr.. Hopkins was not, of course, a universal
tavorite; but those who gained entrance To
the inner chambers of his large, true heart,
were ever after bound to him as by bands
Of steel.
June 20, lSi9 Mr.. Hopkins welded Miss
Caroline Spalding of Montpelier il
roth was ever truly and wisely plighted, it
was then and there Especially during tho
ong years of her husbands invaldism, her
heroic fortitude her patient endurance, her
'leepless vigilance, her tender ministries,
lnd her overcoming faith, have been the
wonder and admiration of all; and the rec
'rd she has made ought TO he everywhere
poken of, not only as a memorial of her,
,ut as an example and inspiration for 9TH
RS. Besides the widow, Mr.. Hopkins leaves
CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE.J