Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-18
FREDERICK VINCENT HOPKINS. NJ. d,

FREDERICK VINCENT HOPKINS, M. ID,
Frederick Vincent Hopkins. 9th son and
18th child of the late Rt Rev. John Henry
Hopkins and Mclusna his wife, was born
May g. 1880. in the first Vermont Episcopal
Institute at the foot of Church street, in
the house now occupied by the Misses
Converse. He received his education at
homo till he entered the University Of YER
mont, whore he graduated in 1859. Going
South, he was for a time a private tutor
in n clergymans family in Louisiana
whore he lived during the civil
war. Shortly before General But
Ter entered New Orleans, Mr.
Hopkins was conscriptod for tho rebel
army. His sympathics were much divided
between the kind. mistaken, suffering
Southerners by whom he was surrounded
and tho strong attachment he felt for the
North and the relatives and friends left
far behind him He could not take up
arms against his home and kindred. So
explaining his position to his kind cm-
ployer he babe him goodbye, and secretly
taking his departure by night. he foatcd
in a row-boat down the Mississippi river
alone. for 2G0 miles, until he reached New
Orleans, expecting all that time to be sud-
denly fired upon and captured for n rum
away. He was favored, however, and cs-
capped without difficulty. Tho only person
in New Orleans he could trust was Mrs.
" y
Episcopal church of that city and sister to
our townsman. r. II. Garfield, who proved
n friend i'm need. She took him in, sum
burned almost past recognition after his
several days exposure and nearly starved.
and kept him till the change of control in
the city under Cen Butler. gave him an
opportunity once more to earn his own
support.
In 1879. having married Miss Josephine
Guion OF New Orleans. and studied mcdi-
cine. he began to practice as a physician
Of the old school. ultimately removing to
California about tho year 1870 He was n
skllful physician, and especially interested
in scientific study and research. He be-
came n keen microscopic and at that
carly date when such studies were apt to
provoke n mild dcrision he devoted his
scanty leisure to what is now the science
of hactcriology. He reached the now ac-
copied theory Of tuberculosis and it's fro
qucnt origin in infected milk and presented
his conclusions in pamphlets and medical
journals. but his views failed to catch the
ear Of the general public and he had Meth
err the time nor the money needed for such
researches.
He used his knowledge constantly In his
private practice. \ curious letter written
a year ago tells how he tried to persuade n
lady, by showing her his various "cul-
lures" that antisoptc treatment was
better than poulticcS. for her husband, i'll
with erysipelas. She was not convinced.
called another physician. and the patient
died. His death at the hospital in San
Francisco, May &C. was caused by sup
purated peritonitis, following a sugical
, operation for hernia.
DR. Hopkins left n widow and five chill
drcn, Miss Clara Loline. who holds n posi-
ton as teacher in the public school at New
Almadcn, Cal, Herbert Guion for several
years in a government office in Washing
ton u. C., and Edward, Josephine and
Ernest still children at home. Three chill
drcn, all boys, died in infancy. Mrs Hop
kins will make her home now in New
/ Almadcn.
DIR. Hopkins was communicate in the
Episcopal church from childhood, and lcd
, quiet consistent, earnest Christian life.
At the time of his death he had been YES
tryman for many years. He will be great
~ missed in his circle of acquaintance and
associates.