William Henry Hopkins

William Henry Hopkins was born Feb 13, 1838 in Springwell, NY. He moved to Jackson Co. Iowa in 1860, occupation farmer. He married Kate Moore (b. 1845 Schenectady, NY) Dec. 28, 1864 in Andrew, Jackson Co., IA.

They had five children: 1. William B. 2. Hattie (Harriet) Louise Haddox Humbert 3. Fanny 4. Delia (Adelia) Sharp Jones 5. Lillie (Lillian) Shea Spears (all born Jackson Co., IA).

After the Civil War William moved the family to Story Co., IA and worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad as foreman of the bridge gang. In 1886 he moved to Odebolt, Sac Co., IA where he lived until his death Sep 10, 1911.

He was a member of the Odebolt G.A.R. He was buried in Odebolt Cemetery as is his wife Kate who died Oct. 1924.

Civil War Experiences

The following is a transcript of his army experience. The original is written on lined notepaper in his own handwriting.

(Page 1)

Army Record of W. H. Hopkins during the War of the Rebelion

I inlisted July 29 - 1861 at Spragueville Jackson Co Iowa went to Dubuque Iowa, was mustered in to the U.S. Service Sept 24, 1861 as a Private in Co. A - 9" Regement Iowa Volunteer Inft. Went from Dubuque to St. Louis Mo, drew our arms and knapsack and were sent out in the State to guard R.R. - and other State property 1862 Feb. went to Springfield Mo and began to chase the Rebble army under Price - caught them at Pea Ridge Ark, March 7 & 8 had a hard Battle but we won the day.

(page 2)

In April we took a 600 mile tramp through Ark and got to Helena on the Mississippi River July 29 had a number of Skirmishes on our way through the State but no big Battles. Staid at Helena the bal. of 1862 1863 were ordered to Vicksburg Mis, about Jan 1" got there all O.K and loafed around awhile - in Feb. went up the River to Greenville Mis, destroyed a lot of cotton and lived high on Pea Cocks and Sweet pertaters - the Same month were ordered up the River to Arkansas Post, a Rebble Fort on the Arkansas River - we had quite a job to take the Fort - but we took it Rebs & all

(page 3)

From Arkansas Post we went back to Vicksburg and commened buisiness - crosed the River at Grand Gulf went to Jackson, destroyed the City got in the Rear of Vicksburg, May 19 and Staid there till July 21 when we took the City, Rebs, too, during all of this time we had fighting nearly Every day, History will tell you what we don, and the number Lives lost in Sept, we went to Chattanooga to help Old Rosancraner out of a tight place - the first thing we done was to take Lookout Mountain Sept 2(?) that was a Battle above the Clouds from Lookout we went over to Mission Ride (Missionary Ridge?) and helped the boys clean up the rubbish that the Rebs had left there (page 4) after the Battle of Misionary Ridge we did not do much more that year the main army went into winter quarters and as I got wounded a little in right arm I was sent back to a Hospital at Nashville Tenn, where I got well enough right away to get the Smallpox and lose the Sight of my left Eye 1864 March - we started South bag and baggage to find the Rebs, we did not have to hunt very long till we found them and they were so tickled to see us that they coaxed us to follow them to Atlanta Geo, but we played a mean trick on them when they got us into Atlanta we took the City away from them, and made them get out o, that

(page 4)

after the Battle of Misionary Ridge we did not do much more that year the main army went into winter quarters and as I got wounded a little in right arm I was sent back to a Hospital at Nashville Tenn, where I got well enough right away to get the Smallpox and lose the Sight of my left Eye 1864 March - we started South bag and baggage to find the Rebs, we did not have to hunt very long till we found them and they were so tickled to see us that they coaxed us to follow them to Atlanta Geo, but we played a mean trick on them when they got us into Atlanta we took the City away from them, and made them get out o, that

(page 5)

After the fall of Atlanta I done no more Service in the army was discharged at East Point Geo Sept 24 -1864
Expiration term Service Note
we belonged to the 15 army Corp W T. Shermans - History will tell you that Shermans army was on the left of Missionary Ridge - and Lookout Mountain is on the Right about 3 miles apart - our Brigade was detached from the main army to help Hooker at Lookout Mountain that is how we came to be on the Right wing where we did not belong

William Henry Hopkins business card. 
He worked for the Chicago & North Western Railroad as a bridge gang foreman.

 

Obituary

THE CHRONICLE. VOL. XXV. NO. 20, SEPTEMBER 14, 1911.

Civil War Veteran Called by Death.

William Henry Hopkins, Civil War Veteran and pioneer resident of Iowa and of Odebolt, passed away at the family home in this city at about six o'clock last Sunday morning. Funeral services were held at three o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. Robert McInturff and burial made in the local cemetery.

Mr. Hopkins was stricken with what proved to be his fatal illness something over a month ago. His trouble was diagnosed as dropsy and despite the tender ministrations of members of the family and trained attendants he gradually slipped from this life. The members of the family were at the bedside when the end came.

Deceased was born in 1838 at Springwell, Erie county, New York. He came to Iowa in 1860 and located in Jackson county. When the war broke out he promptly enlisted in Co. A, 9th Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war. His army record was an active one and it was his lot to serve with distinction in many of the most noted battles of the war. He was in both battles of Pea Ridge, Missouri; was with General Grant during the siege of Vicksburg, was volunteer nurse in the small pox hospital at Nachez [sic], Mississippi, where he contracted the disease and lost the sight of his left eye; was in the famous battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge and was with General Sherman in his march to the sea. During all of the active period he was wounded but twice. He was mustered out September 21, 1864, at East Point, Georgia. After laying aside his musket he returned to Jackson county and on December 28, 1864, was united in marriage with Miss Kate Moore. The family came to Odebolt twenty-three years ago and this has since been the family home. He was the commander of the local G. A. R. post and highly esteemed by his comrades and friends.

Surviving him besides the widow are four children, as follows: Wm. B. Hopkins of Bedford, Indiana; Mrs. Hattie L. Haddox of Webster City; Mrs. W. H. Sharp of Lead, South Dakota, and Mrs. T. J. Shea of Sioux City.

Mr. Hopkins was an upright man and a good citizen. All of his friends and veteran army associates speak well of him. The sorrowing family has much sympathy in this their time of sorrow.