Samuel G. Hopkins was apprenticed to the tinner's trade when 17 years old. He went to Philadelphia when he was 22 years old and worked at his trade there a short time, then engaged in building railroads in Maryland. He worked at his trade in Wheeling, Va., a few months then embarked in the river traffic. He run between Cincinnati and New Orleans. Having a shop on board his boat he manufactured tinware and dealt in produce. Subsequently purchased a canal boat, which he run between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for two years, dealing in produce, whisky, etc. In 1849 he came to Scott County. In March, 1850, in company with a party of men he started for California with four ox teams, making the journey in 165 days. They arrived at their destination with one ox and an Indian pony, having lost the remainder of their oxen on the Big Desert. They were then compelled to burn their wagons and plunder, with the exception of what they could load on to their remaining ox and pony. Their provisions gave out and for seven days they subsisted on a little flour which they bought of the Mormons. Their first two years in mining were unsuccessful, but the third year they cleared $20 a day, Mr. Hopkins then returned to Scott County and purchased the farm where he now resides. His marriage with Harriet Young occurrd Oct. 10, 1854. She is a native of Blair Co., Pa., born in August, 1829. Of their family of seven children six are living, Thaddeus, James, William, Harry, Luetta and Mabel. In 1880 Mr. Hopkins again engaged in mining and has made several claims which promise richly for the future. He has held several local offices of trust in the gifts of the people. He owns 205 acres of land, which is worth $75 and acre. Has a fine orchard and raises a variety of small fruits.

Family Group Sheet of James HOPKINS & Mary TURNER