The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-01-15
COLONEL HOPKINS DEAD.

"A Leader of the Massachusetts, Bar.
Worcester, Jan. 14.-News was re-
ceiyed here of the death of Colonel w.
S. B. Hopkins, senior member of the
law firm Of Hopkins, Smith & Hopkins,
at Pinehurst, N. G.
Colonel Hopkins went south about
three weeks. ago, accompanied by his
wife and eldest daughter in search of
health On the evening of January 4
he was taken with a chill and symp-
toms of pneumonia developed soon af-
ter Messages received during the week
We're in effect that the attack was con-
sidered mild until Saturday night
when a message came stating that he
was in critical condition. Another
message received this morning gave
news of his death at 8 o'clock
Colonel Hopkins was obliged to give
up practice several weeks ago and un-
til the time of his departure for the
south he had been confined to his home
most Of the time. Since he recovered
sufficiently to warrant his making the
journey, however, and for a time after
his arrival in the south it was thought
he would recover.
Colonel Hopkins was born in Charles
ton, S. c., May 2 1886. He came from
distinguished ancestry on both sides.
His education was received in the pub
lie and private schools and at Williams
college, where he was graduated in the
class of 1856 He began the study of
law in the office of Hon. William Allen
at Northampton and continued it at the
Harvard law school. He was admitted
to the bar in January, 1858, and in Aug
ust of that year opened an office in
Ware, Mass, where he continued in
practice until the outbreak of the rebel
lion. He entered the service as captain
in the Thirty-first Massachusetts vol
unteers; was afterwards promoted to
the lieutenant colonelcy and was in
command of the regiment from Novem-
Der 1, following until April Si1S64 He
took part in the Teche campaign in
1868, was in the siege of Port Hudson.
He remained at Baton Rouge until De-
cember when his regiment was con-
verted into cavalry and took part in
the Red River expedition Colonel Hop
kins was in legal practice in New Or
leans from May, 1864, to September,
1866, and during that time acted as
special counsel for the United States
treasury. He returned to Massachusetts
and opened an office in Greenfield in
October. 1866, remaining there until 1878,
when he removed to Worcester and be-
came the partner of the late Hon. Peter
c. Bacon, and later was associated with
Henry Bacon and Frank b. Smith. The
firm name was afterwards changed to
Hopkins, Smith & Hopkins, including
Colonel Hopkins son, w. H. B. Hop
III ir
mate of President Garfield, and al
though the fact was not generally
known, he was offered a place in the
presidents cabinet as attorney general
after his election. Colonel Hopkins had
been favorably mentioned for congress
on several occasions, and during the
year past he declined appointment to
the supreme court bench He was dis
trict attorney for the northwestern die
trist of Massachusetts, from 1871 to 1874 !
and served in the same office in the
middle district from 1884 to 1887. He
became city solicitor of Worcester in I
1898 and resigned that office in 1897. He |
was first commander of the Worcester /
Contnentals, member of the Worces-
ter Fire society and member of the ,
Grand Army. In politics Colonel Hop |
kins was always a republican. In 1850 |
he was member of the national con-
vention that nominated James A. Gar
field. He presided over the republican
state convention in Boston in 1897. He :
had never held political office other than
that connected with his profession. He
had been prominently connected with
various social and other bodies He
was member of the Boston University
club and was president of the Wofces-
ter club
Colonel Hopkins was married in 1853
to Elizabeth Sarah Peck of East Hamp
ton. She survives him, together with
four children. Colonel Hopkins had