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 LIFE, CHARACTER AND SERVICES 
 
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 READ BEFORE THE 
 
 WISCONSIN STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 
 
 November 15, 1870, 
 
 By DAVID AT WOOD 
 
 M.U)ISON, WIS.: 
 ATWOOD & CULVER, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 
 
 1870. 
 
 
 
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Class_ 
 Book_ 
 
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 A SKETCH 
 
 LIFE, CHAKACTER AND SERVICES 
 
 »/ i 
 
 HON. BENJAMIN F. HOPIINS, 
 
 KEAD BEFORE THE 
 
 WISCONSIN STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 
 
 November 15, 1870, 
 
 By DAVID AT WOOD 
 
 MADISON, WIS.: 
 
 ATWOOD & CULVEK, BOOK AND JOB PEINTERS. 
 
 1870. 
 

LIFE AND SERVICES 
 
 BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 
 
 Mr. President and Oentlemen of the State Historical Society : 
 
 Men die, but their deeds live after them. It is the mission 
 of this Society to keep a record of such things as go to make 
 up a perfect history of the State ; and there is no one thing that 
 will do moie in this direction, than to keep a record of the 
 lives and deeds of prominent men who have resided in the 
 gta^te — men whose characters and actions have been identified 
 with the public interests. It is with a view to aiding in mak- 
 ing this record as perfect as possible, that I accede to the 
 request of this Societ}^, to prepare a paper on the life, character 
 and services of our late distinguished fellow citizen and active 
 co-worker, Hon. Benjamin Franklin Hopkins, whose death 
 on the first day of January, 1870, caused general mourning 
 throughout the State, and was an especial afQiction to the people 
 of Madison, with whom he had so long resided, and by whom 
 he was so highly respected and esteemed. In the brief paper 
 that I may present, it cannot be expected that I shall par- 
 ticularljr interest those who were familiar with the subject of 
 it, while in life, but it may prove of some interest to those who 
 come after us, and are in search of historical events. 
 
 Stricken down in the prime of life, just as he had reached a 
 position that he was po well qualified to fill, and that promised 
 
LIFE AND SERVICES OF 
 
 grefit usefulness in the future, the death of Mr. Hopkins was 
 a sad event to the people of the State. Yet, when we con- 
 sider 
 
 "That life is long, which answers life's great end," 
 
 And judge by that standard, the life of our friend was indeed 
 a long and useful one. Though he had lived but about forty 
 years, his experience in life, his accomplishments for himself 
 and the public, were greater than falls to tlie lot of most men 
 who live double that length of time. His was a mind to de- 
 velop young, to ripen early and to expand as events occurred, 
 with wonderful vigor. It was never idle. With quick per- 
 ceptive faculties, great sagacity and superior judgment, he 
 grasped a subject at once, and in a brief time, comprehended 
 it, in all its bearings, however intricate the problems that might 
 be presented. These traits of character rendered him a man of 
 great power and usefulness in community, in whatever capa- 
 city he might act. The death of such a man, is a sore afflic- 
 tion to the people; but there is consolation in the fact that he 
 was spared so long, and accomplished so much, as did our 
 friend, whose death we so deeply deplore. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin Hopkins was born in Hebron, Wash- 
 ington county. New York, April 22, 1829. His early life was 
 spent on a farm in Granville, in the same county. He receiv- 
 ed such an education as was afforded by the schools at his own 
 home, and, though the opportunities were rather limited, he 
 made excellent use of his time, and was deemed a good acade- 
 mic scholar. Farming was not to his liking; though being 
 put to it in his boyhood, he was active and useful in this em- 
 ployment. His mind was too active for a farmer's life, and 
 craved the more stimulating pursuits of the business world. 
 
 For a time, he was clerk in a country store, and showed a won- 
 derful aptitude for this position. While yet a youth, the tele- 
 graph was brought into use. This wonderful process of com- 
 municating with each other from all parts of the country — of 
 
BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 
 
 annihilating time and distance as it were — was almost captivat- 
 ing to young Hopkins, and be at once obtained a situation to 
 receive instruction in the mysterious process of telegraphing. 
 He soon became an accomplished operator. Then, at the age 
 of twenty, having read of the great and growing west, he be- 
 came convinced that it presented an inviting field for the de- 
 velopment and growth of the mind of a young man. In Octo- 
 ber, 1849, he came to Wisconsin. He had been attracted to 
 Fond du Lac, having friends residing at that point, and made 
 his first stop in the state at that place. He remained there but 
 a short time, as, in November, in that year, we find him in 
 charge of the Telegraph ofl*ice at Madison, a place that present- 
 ed unusual charms for him, and which was, forever afterwards 
 his home. As a resident of that city, Mr. Hopkins was ever 
 foremost in promoting its best interests. He gave to it, the 
 benefit of his counsel, was active in labor, and liberal with his 
 means, in the advancement of any project, having for its pur- 
 pose the improvement of Madison, in adding to its business, or 
 to its beauty. The citizens of the Capital city, appreciate his 
 valuable services, and have great cause for lamenting his early 
 death. His many acts of benevolence and kindness will be 
 long remembered by her people. He acted nobly and well a 
 citizen's duty, during his entire residence in Madison. 
 
 Commencing his career in Wisconsin as a young man, with- 
 out means and without friends, the complete success that has 
 attended Mr. Hopkins in his private as well as in his public 
 life, gives conclusive evidence of his ability, shrewdness, and 
 keen foresight in all things. He commenced that career, as an 
 operator in a telegraph office. In this position, as in all oth- 
 ers in after life, he was accomplished in the execution of his 
 work, attentive to every duty, gentlemanly and obliging to all 
 with whom he came in contact. Previous to this time, the tel- 
 egraph had proved very unsatisfactory to the people of Madi- 
 son. On his taking charge of the ofiice, a marked change took 
 
LIFE AKD SERVICES OF 
 
 place. The business was performed promptly and well, and 
 the new operator soon became one of the most popular 
 young men in the place. The business of the office was small, 
 occupying only a portion of the time of Mr. Hopkins. The 
 salary was also small. He was not long in discovering that 
 he was able to accomplish more, than merely to attend to the 
 duties of that position. Madison was then a small village ; 
 but the keen perceptive faculties of Mr. Hopkins, soon con- 
 vinced him that it must become a place of considerable im- 
 portance ; and that real estate must increase in value. He 
 ecc-nomized in all things ; and, as soon as he had accumulated 
 a small amount of money, he invested it in lots or lands. 
 There was an immediate advance, and Mr. Hopkins would sell 
 when a good offer was made, and invest the proceeds again. 
 From nothing, by shrewd and careful management, he soon 
 had a good working capital, and he used it with much skill 
 and with excellent results. He was never a man to assume 
 large risks ; kept his investments within his means, and when 
 the general crash of 1857 came, he was prepared for it. His 
 business prospered all the time ; and, though he did not accu- 
 mulate a large fortune in a year, he added steadily to his prop- 
 erty, till, in a few years, he was in independent circumstances. 
 The first public enterprise with which Mr. Hopkins inter- 
 ested himself, was the organization of the Madison Mutual 
 Insurance Company. In the winter of 1851, he drew up the 
 charter of that Institution, procured its passage through the 
 Legislature, and, in April of that year, the Company was duly 
 organized, with Mr. Hopkins as its Secretary. He served in 
 this capacity five years, and was active in his efforts to pro- 
 mote the interests of the Company, and establish for it a repu- 
 tation for responsibility and promptness. In this, he succeeded 
 in a most satisfactory manner. He was a Director and member 
 of the Executive Committee of the Companj^, from the day of 
 its organization to the day of his death, and took a leading 
 
BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 
 
 part in its management during the whole time. He was Vice 
 President for six years, commencing with 1862. Beginning in 
 a small way, pursuing an honorable course in all things, Mr. 
 Hopkins lived to see the Madison Mutual Insurance Company 
 one of the soundest^ most reliable and popular institutions in 
 the country. To him, this was a source of great satisfaction. 
 From the fact of having founded it, and having taken so lead- 
 ing a part in its affairs, he became much attached to this Com- 
 pany, looked upon it as a child of his own creation, and look 
 an immense pride in its brilliant success. 
 
 In 1855, Mr. Hopkins took an active interest in the incor- 
 poration of the Madison Gras Company. He procured the 
 passage of its charter in the winter of that year, and the com- 
 pany was fully organized in the spring, with Mr. Hopkins as 
 its Secretary. The works were immediately constructed, and, 
 lor a time, the business of the company run badly ; the income 
 failed to pay expenses, and, at the end of the year, it was largely 
 in debt, and most of the Directors were inclined to abandon 
 the enterprise. It was at this juncture, that Mr. Hopkins' 
 sagacity and foresight proved of great value to himself, and 
 of advantage to the people of Madison. He discovered mon- 
 ey in the enterprise, if the business was skillfully managed ; 
 and proposed to lease the works for five years, assuming the 
 debts of the company in payment of rent, and obligating him- 
 self to furnish the people with gas, and, at the end of the terra, 
 return the works in as good condition as when he took them. 
 The offer was promptly accepted ; and Mr. Hopkins fulfilled 
 his part of the contract to the letter ; and, putting his superior 
 business skill into the m.anagement of the aftairs of the com- 
 pany, made ii pay well from the start. At the end of five 
 years, he was the owner of most of the stock, and it was pay- 
 ing a good income. In this operation, buying the stock cheaply, 
 and so managing the affairs of the company as to bring it up 
 to par, he made a large share of his fortune. 
 
LIFE AND SERVICES OF 
 
 But I must not dwell on his business life further. Enough 
 has been said to show that he was shrewd and fortunate in 
 business. I will only add, that he was also honorable, lib- 
 eral, prompt and energetic as a business man, in all his under- 
 takings. 
 
 Mr. Hopkins was not only a public spirited man, but he 
 was also, a benevolent and kind hearted man. He never 
 turned a deaf ear to th'? wants of his fellows ; but opened his 
 purse liberally to the needy, as hundreds in the community 
 can testify. These acts of benevolence were not performed in 
 an ostentatious manner, but with quietness and kindness — fol- 
 lowing the Divine injunction, not to let the left hand know 
 what the right hand doeth. 
 
 In the matter of public improvements, and the building of 
 churches and other institutions, he was a free giver. No sub- 
 scription paper passed him without his name opposite a liberal 
 sum of money. 
 
 Mr. Hopkins was a patriotic man. At tlie commencement 
 of the late rebellion, no man, in a private capacity, was more 
 active in aiding to organize troops for the defense of the 
 country, or more liberal, in proportion to his means, in the 
 supplying of money in support of the dear ones at home, than 
 was the subject of this sketch. He did not enter the service, 
 as it was the opinion of his physician, that it would not be safe 
 for him to do so. For many years previous to the war, he had 
 » been a great sufferer from inflammatory rheumatism, and it was 
 felt that he could do more good at home, without endangering 
 his life. But he was not an inactive supporter of the govern- 
 ment in the time of its peril. He was constantly devising 
 measures for the comfort of the soldiers and for their families 
 at home. 
 
 Perhaps the most pleasing and satisfactory labor of Mr. 
 Hopkins' life, to himself, was performed immediately after the 
 close of the war ; and certainly it has proved a great blessing 
 
BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 
 
 to the State. I have reference to his efforts in establishing the 
 "Soldiers' Orphans' Home." He took an early, active and 
 leading part in this great benevolent Institution, fraught with 
 such untold blessings to the orphan children of Wisconsin 
 Soldiers. In conversation with Mrs. Governor Harvey, she 
 informed me that Mr. HoPKiNS was the originator of that 
 Home. At all events, he was the first person that suggested 
 the matter to her ; and she became the active instrument in 
 the accomplishment of that most noble enterprise. 
 
 Mrs. Harvey has furnished the wriier with a letter from 
 Mr. Hopkins to her, on this subject. In a note accompanying 
 the letter, she writes : 
 
 " Enclosed, you will find the letter from Mr. Hopkins, I spoke to you about. This 
 is the first word that I ever received from anybody in regard to the establishment of 
 a Home for the helpless children, made fatherless by the war. This letter decided 
 me to go to Madison. I supposed this fact was more generally known. As I see 
 no report of it in any published accounts of the life and acts of Mr. Hopkins, I 
 think it but just and right that mention should be made of this. You know the aid 
 that he afterwards gave, and how gratified he was for any success. I do not be- 
 lieve that any work of his life ever gave him more real pleasure." 
 
 The following is a copy of Mr. Hopkins' letter to which 
 Mrs. Harvey refers : 
 
 "Madison, June 14, 1865. 
 " My Dear Mrs. Harvey : 
 
 As the war may now be considered over, and your kind offices, and good services, 
 at the bed-side of our suffering heroes in the Hospitals, will not be much longer 
 needed, I trust, and knowing that your interest in our soldiers, and whatever con- 
 cerns them, will never cease, I wish to consult you in relation to a charitable project, 
 about which I have thought considerable of late, and which will, I have no doubt, 
 meet with a favorable response from our people, when presented to them. You are 
 aware that there are in our midst, a large number of helpless and most unfortunate 
 orphan children, whose only protectors have fallen victims to this cruel rebellion. 
 These children should be most carefully and tenderly cared for and educated by the 
 State ; and not one of them should ever suffer the disgrace of being sent to our poor 
 houses ; but should be adopted by the State, and cared for and educated, so that 
 they may begin life with a chance of prosperity and usefulness, instead of being 
 kicked about like public paupers, and driven to crime and shame. We cannot 
 
10 LIFE AND SERVICES OF 
 
 afford to be ungenerous, and far less unjust, towards the children of those of our 
 brave defenders, who have laid down their lives in this struggle. 
 
 " We have been thinking, a few of us, of buying the " Harvey Hospital " here, 
 and presenting it to the State, to be used as an Orphan Asylum and school for those 
 fatherless children who have no means of proper support and education. We would 
 like you, if you can do so, to take charge of it ; or, if you cannot do so, to interest your- 
 self in behalf of the cause, (if it meets your approbation, and I feel certain it will,) and 
 aid us in its estal^lishment. You know the location of the property is most delightful 
 and by getting a donation of the improvements made by the government, it could, 
 with little expense, be made immediately useful for a large number. If it can be 
 properly started, there is no doubt but that it will soon become one of the most, if not 
 the most interesting and beneficial institutions in our State. Our people must take 
 great pride in its prosperity and success. We have written to the War Department, 
 asking for the donation of the improvements which have been placed there by the 
 Government, and have _no reason to doubt an affirmative answer. If you think the 
 project feasible, and have a mind to add still more to your already extended fame, as 
 the soldiers' friend, and to lay the people under still greater obligations to you for 
 your noble exertions, I should like to have you come up and visit us, so that we 
 may counsel together upon this subject. Please advise me when you can come, and 
 oblige 
 
 " Very Respectfully Yours, 
 
 [Signed.] "B.F.HOPKINS." 
 
 The Institution was put in operation, and Mr. Hopkins was 
 a leading member of the Board of Trustees, from the com- 
 mencement, so long as he lived. He was efiScientin promoting 
 its affairs, and took a lively interest in everything pertaining 
 to this noblest of our State charities. It is one that strikes 
 the tenderest chords of the heart; and it is a proud monument 
 to any man, to have been its founder and early protector. 
 
 Mr, Hopkins was a poliiician, in its best and most enlarged 
 sense. He was versed, in the Science of Government, and 
 skilled in the execution of his plans. In early life, he belong- 
 ed to the great whig party, and entered actively into the work 
 of advancing its interests, and continued to act with it so long 
 as that party had an existence. On the organization of the 
 Republican party, he became identified with it, and during the 
 balance of his life was one of its leading members. Few men, 
 if any, in the State, were more instrumental in keeping that 
 
BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 11 
 
 party in the ascendency in Wisconsin, than was our friend. 
 He was ever ready with his counsel, his work and his means, 
 to aid in securing the success of his party and its principles ; 
 and he became a great power in it. 
 
 His first political office was that of Private Secretary to 
 Governor Bashford, in which position he served with marked 
 ability and fidelity, and to the great acceptance of the people, 
 during the years 1856 and 1857. In the fall of 1861, he was 
 elected to the State Senate, in which body he distinguished 
 himself as a ready debater, and as a legislator of great efficien- 
 cy. He had no superior among his fellows in the Senate. In 
 1865, he was elected to the Assembly of Wisconsin. In both 
 of these cases, he was elected in districts where his party was 
 in a large minority ; but his popularity with the people was 
 very great, and he was rarely defeated in a popular election, 
 
 Mr. Hopkins was an ambitious man. Ambitious to be of 
 use to the world. His efforts were well matured and systema- 
 tized. He first accumulated a fortune in private business, and 
 then devoted himself to the public service. His ambition led 
 him to seek place ; not merely for the sake of place ; but to 
 enable him to do a greater good than could be accomplished 
 without it. He was a man of wonderful tenacity of character ; 
 and when he put his mind upon doing a thing, was not easily 
 turned from his purpose. This characteristic was clearly dem- 
 onstrated in his efforts to obtain a seat in Congress. He as- 
 pired to that position in 1862 ; but failed to reach it till 1868. 
 The contests in the Conventions of his party, and his action 
 during the four years, is so well described by Senator Howe, 
 in his remarks in the United States Senate, on the lltli of 
 February, 1870, in speaking of the character of Mr. Hopkins, 
 that I am induced to give place to an extract from them in 
 this connection. It gives a good idea of the character of the 
 man, of whom I am writing. 
 
12 LIFE AISTD SERVICES OF 
 
 In referring to the Congressional district, and to the contests 
 in the Conventions, Senator Howe sai 1 : 
 
 " The Second Congressional District of Wisconsin comprises the four great Coun- 
 ties of Dane, Rock, Columbia, and Jefferson, and numbered, in 1861, a population 
 of about one hundred and forty-three thousand. It is one of the richest agricultural 
 districts in that or any other State. There is no large city in it ; but there are, be- 
 sides the Capital of the State, very many towns numbering from five to fifteen 
 thousand inhabitants. I run no risk of disparaging any other people, when I say, 
 that I do not know where you can find the same number of people combining more 
 intelligence, more virtue, more culture, or more thrift, less of ignorance, less vice, 
 or less poverty than in those four counties. There is no constituency anywhere 
 before whom pretenders or shams of every kind stand less chance of success. 
 Whoever secures the favor of such a people, must have positive merit of some kind. 
 The Republican party of that district was represented in the convention of 1862, by 
 forty-four delegates. Of those, twenty-one declared for Mr. Hopkins, while twenty- 
 two declared for Hon. I. C. Sloan. One delegate voted for a thu'd candidate. 
 After fifteen ballotings, Mr. Sloan received twenty-three votes and was nominated. 
 If Mr. Hopkins had shown the year before that he was supeiior to the influence of 
 victory, he demonstrated now that he could not be demoralized by defeat. He was 
 beaten, but he lost no confidence in himself, and his friends lost no 
 confidence in him. Accordingly he appeared again, two years later, 
 before the convention as a candidate for the same nomination. He met there 
 again his old antagonist ; and it would seem as if he must have met him under 
 great disadvantages. Mr. Sloan had the prestige of one victory. He had served 
 his district through one session with undeviating fidelity and rare ability. The event 
 showed that while Mr. Sloan had lost none of his own friends, he had wholly failed 
 to disarm the friends of Mr. Hopkins. Indeed, so exactly was the relative force of 
 the two parties preserved, that in the convention of 1864, the majority depended 
 upon two contested seats. Those seats were adjudged to the friends of Mr. Sloan, 
 and be was again nominated. Mr. Hopkins was again defeated, but he was still as 
 far from being subdued as ever. He plunged into the canvass for his rival. He 
 secured the continued adherence of his own friends by the unfaltering ardor with 
 which, in spite of personal disappointment, he still served the cause ; and he did 
 something to disarm the opposition by the zeal with which he devoted himself to the 
 election of their chief Accordingly, in 1866, when forty-four delegates, represent- 
 ing the Second District, again assembled to select a candidate for Congress, on the 
 informal ballot eighteen of them declared for Benjamin F. Hopkins. The remain- 
 ing twenty-six votes were divided among three other candidates, in the proportion of 
 ten for one and eight for each of the other two. On the first formal ballot Mr. 
 Hopkins had nineteen votes. No speeches were made. All understood the issue 
 was to be determined by pluck, and not by rhetoric. Not an angry or discourteous 
 word was uttered. With dogged but quiet pertinacity those forty-four men sat down 
 
BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 13 
 
 to the solution of the great problem before them. On the fifteenth formal ballot 
 Mr. Hopkins received twenty-one votes. After eighty or more ballotings, on the 
 ninety-fifth ballot, one more delegate ranged himself under Mr. Hopkins's flag, and 
 he led just one-half the convention. Yet such was the resolute obstmacy which 
 characterized every member of the body, that victory seemed as far oif and as diffi- 
 cult to achieve as ever ; and it was not until late in the evening of the second day 
 of the convention, and on the one hundred and thirty-sixth ballot, that twenty-three 
 votes were finally cast for Mr. Hopkins. He was nominated. The struggle, which 
 for four years had never faltered, was ended — completely ended. It was not renewed 
 in 1868. He was then renominated, I think, without the show of opposition." 
 
 Mr. Hopkins had just completed his first term in Congress, 
 and been re-elected, when disease took a severe hold upon 
 him. During the time he served in Congress, he stood high in 
 the estimation of the members, as a man of unusual sagacity 
 and as possessing remarkable abilities. 
 
 Mr. Lawrence, an able and distinguished member of the 
 House from Ohio, in referring to Mr. Hopkins, spoke thus 
 eloquently of him : 
 
 " A little more than a year ago I was associated with him on a committee of 
 this House charged with an important investigation, and in the discharge of its 
 duties I there learned to know and love him as I had never done before. Few men 
 had greater natural ability or stronger common-sense, and to these were added a 
 culture which made him alike accomplished and useful. His grasp and force of 
 intellect, his faculty of comprehending all subjects on which he was called to act, 
 made liim a most able, valuable, and efficient member of this House, as he was of 
 the committee to which I have referred. Generous ui his nature, guided in all his 
 purposes by an inherent and instructive seuse of duty and of right, he had within 
 him all the elements of a noble soul, and he died as he lived, the noblest work of 
 God — an honest man." 
 
 ISTothing more need be said to show that Mr. Hopkins 
 occupied a commanding position in the National Congress. 
 His greatest strength was in his superior knowledge of men- 
 He made this his study, and was a very successful student. His 
 manner was pleasing, and he readily won the esteem of all 
 with whom he came in contact. This gave him immense 
 power; and this power was manifest in the marked success 
 that attended all his efforts. For the length of time he served 
 
14 LIFE AND SEEVICES OF 
 
 in Congress, few men if any, ever made a prouder or more suc- 
 cessful record than did the subject of this imperfect sketch. 
 Although cut off' in the prime of life, and in the midst of his 
 usefulness, he leaves a name and fame that but few persons 
 can hope to attain. 
 
 As a public speaker, Mr. Hopkins was fluent and pleasing. 
 His talent in this direction was natural. He was not an edu- 
 cated orator. It was only in the few latter years of his life, 
 that he made any effort in this direction. His progress, after 
 he did commence, was very marked. In the campaign of 
 1868, he spoke in a large number of places in his district, with 
 decided success. In Congress, he made but few speeches ; 
 though when he did address the House, it was with good effect, 
 and he received marked attention from the members. He was 
 one of the youngest men in that body ; but in influence, stood 
 among the fiz-st. He was affable and courteous to his asso- 
 ciates; a keen observer of events ; an accurate judge of men ; 
 a warm and sincere friend. 
 
 Socially, our friend occupied a high position. He was the 
 life of all circles in which he participated. Pleasing in man- 
 ners, fluent in conversation, jovial in his nature, Mr. Hopkins 
 was a brilliant ornament in the social wallas of life. Barely 
 do we find, combined in one person, so many of those natural 
 gifts, that rendered him a most genial and pleasant companion. 
 His generous natare and unostentatious manners, caused him 
 to be a favorite, not only in the social circle, but endeared him 
 to all. He entered into the enjoyments of those about him, 
 with a sympathy that caused every one, old or young, to de- 
 light in his society. The strength of his social and domestic 
 attachments, was very marked. His friendship was sincere 
 and true ; his grasp of the hand, warm and cordial. 
 
 " His life was gentle, and the elements 
 So niLxed in him, that Nature might stand up 
 And say to all the world, this was a man." 
 
BENJAMIN F. HOPKINS. 15 
 
 In personal appearance, Mr. Hopkins was a noble specimen 
 of manly grace and elegance. In height, he was about five 
 feet and ten inches ; erect in form ; dark hair and complex- 
 ion, with large expressive eyes. Until within a few monthsof 
 his death, his appearance indicated the most perfect health. 
 
 Mr, Hopkins was twice married. His first wife was Miss 
 Ethalinda Lewis, with whom he was united on the 25th day 
 of May, 1853. She was a lady of much beauty and high accom- 
 plishments, but of frail constitution. She died in about two 
 years after marriage. His second wife was Miss Mary E. 
 WiLLCUTT, with whom he was married on the Idlh day of 
 September, 1857. She is a lady of superior intelligence and 
 culture, who survives her husband. He left no children. He 
 enjoyed home, and provided liberally for its pleasures and its 
 comforts. 
 
 At the close of the first session of the Forty-first Congress, in 
 the spring of 1869, Mr. Hopkins returned to his home in Wis- 
 consin, with health much impaired. His condition w^as not 
 deemed alarming, either to himself or his friends. Being a 
 member of the Committee on Pacific Railroads in the House, 
 he was permitted to pass over that road, then recently finished, 
 to the Pacific Coast, with a limited number of friends of his 
 own selection ; and, during the summer he made up a party of 
 some thirty chosen companions, and took the trip to San Fran- 
 cisco, visiting many prominent pc>ints on the way, and in vari- 
 ous parts of California. The journey was performed in con- 
 siderable haste, and in his enfeebled condition of health, was 
 too much for him to endure ; and although one of the objects 
 of taking it, was for the improvement of his health, the reverse 
 was probably the effect from it. Soon after his return from 
 California, business called him to Washington, from which 
 place, in the month of Sepiember, he returned very much 
 prostrated. He immediately put himself under medical treat- 
 ment, and for a time, his friends had entire confidence in his 
 recovery to perfect health. 
 
16 LIFE AND SERVICES OF 
 
 The last extended conversation the writer had with Mr. 
 Hopkins, was on the 18th of November, 1869. He was then 
 comfortable, cheerful and hopeful. He was confident that he 
 would be able to resume his seat in Congress during the month 
 of December. Soon alter this, he experienced a relapse, and 
 one side became partially paralyzed. There was a slight ral- 
 lying from this prostration ; but only sufficient to kindle a 
 hope in the minds of his friends, to be immediately blasted. 
 The best of medical skill, ^and the kindest attention that rela- 
 tives and friends could bestow, were of no avail. Death had 
 marked him as an early victim, and no human power could 
 save him. On Christmas day, I met him for the last time in 
 life. Though his friends were then hopeful, there seemed but 
 little reason for it. He lingered till the opening of the New 
 Year ! He awoke on the morning of the first of January with 
 the assurance firmly fixed in his own mind, that he must soon 
 die 1 He told his friends that such was the case ; and, at about 
 four o'clock on the afternoon of that bright New Year's day, 
 in the full consciousness of his condition, surrounded by kind 
 friends, he spoke pleasant words to all, bade them an affection- 
 ate adieu, and his lamp of life went peacefully out ! Thus, 
 without pain, without a struggle, in the fullest confidence in a 
 happy and blessed future, our friend entered into his eternal 
 rest 1 
 
 I have thus imperfectly glanced at some of the leading fea- 
 tures in the life of Mr. Hopkins. It would doubtless be the 
 unanimous judgment of men, that such capacity and experi- 
 ence as were possessed by the friend we mourn, ought to be 
 spared for the direction of succeeding generations. But the 
 law of Providence does not so direct. No amount of talent 
 and experience is any security against death ! It is a consola- 
 tion to know that our esteemed friend lived so long and died 
 so full of honors ! His career, we trust, is not yet ended. He, 
 who spoke the universe into existence; who said "Let there be 
 
be:n^jamin f. hopkins. 17 
 
 light and there was light ;" who created man in His own im- 
 age ; breathed into him the breath of life, and gave him do- 
 minion over the earth, may have called our friend to another 
 sphere, for higher and nobler duties ! We may yet experi- 
 ence the benefit of his love, if not of his care. It is but a 
 step from one life to another; which, all alike, must follow, 
 from the least unto the greatest! Happy will it be for us, if, 
 in sharing the common lot, we close our earthly career, leaving 
 the evidences of having lived a life so useful, and so honora- 
 ble, as was that of him, whose loss we mourn. 
 
 From the example left us by our deceased friend and 
 brother member of this Society, may we all learn that life is 
 not in length of days, but in deeds ; that an early grave, found 
 in the service of our coutry and of Grod, is better than a long 
 life of self indulgence; that he who dies with uplifted arm 
 against iniquity, dies not, but becomes immortal. 
 
 Honored and gifted man ! true Patriot ! faithful friend ! 
 Hail ! and Farewell ! 
 
 RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 After the reading of the Address, Messrs. Samuel D. 
 Hastings, Gkorge B. Smith, and Lyman 0. Draper, were 
 appointed a committee to report appropriate resolutions, who, 
 through Hon. Samuel D. Hastings, submitted the following, 
 which were unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Hon. B. F. Hopkins, this Society has lost an ac- 
 tive and useful member and former officer, the Congress of the United States an 
 able and valuable member, the Second Congressional District an industrious and 
 faithful representative, the State at large one of its most widely known and influ- 
 
18 LIFE AND SEEVICES OF BENJAMIN F, HOPKINS. 
 
 ential public men, and the city of Madison one of its most useful, beloved and hon- 
 ored citizens, one who did much to promote its prosperity, and who by his public 
 spirit and large-hearted, yet unobtrusive benevolence, made his influence felt among 
 all classes, both in public and in private. 
 
 Resolved^ That the able and interesting paper touching the life, character and 
 public services of Hon. B. F. Hopkins, read before this Society, this evening, by 
 the Hon. David Aiwoon, be published in the next volume of the Society's Trans- 
 actions. 
 
 Resolved, That a cojiy of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the widow of 
 the deceased. 
 
7" 
 
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