My Genealogy Hound

William A. Hopper has now reached the age of sixty-three years, and although he has been a successful farmer, he is now living retired from the active duties of life. He was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1827, to James and Celia (Hilliard) Hopper, who were born in North Carolina, married in Tennessee, and spent their lives in the last named State, dying since the war, both members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Hopper was a son of John Hopper, who died of measles at New Orleans while serving in the War of 1812. William A. Hopper is the eldest of their nine children, and was reared on a farm, obtaining a common-school education. He was married in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1848, to Julia, daughter of John Basinger, who passed, from life in that county. Mrs. Hopper was born in Lincoln County, and died in 1875, having become the mother of eight children: Barsheba J. (wife of W. C. Middleton), James M. (of Texas), John F., George W., Celia Ann (wife of Mr. Hewin, of Pike County), Joseph H. (of Texas), Alex Marion and Mattie (the last two named dying when young). Mr. Hopper’s second marriage took place in 1876, his wife being a daughter of Joshua and Phoebe A. Williams, who were born in Tennessee and Arkansas, respectively. Mr. Williams died in Murfreesboro, Ark., in 1866, and his wife in Montgomery County in 1888. Mrs. Hopper was born in Pike County of this State, and has one daughter. She and her husband have an adopted son also whom they have reared from infancy, he being now nine years of age. His name is Benjamin L. In 1849 Mr. Hopper came to Clark County, and settled on Caddo Creek, and in 1851 moved up the Caddo to Montgomery County, where he has lived ever since. He has improved three farms, and is one of the leading agriculturists of this region, being the owner of about 1,000 acres of land, 300 of which are cleared, the results of his own efforts. After the war he followed the occupation of merchandising in connection with farming until a few years since, when he was compelled to abandon business on account of ill health caused by paralysis. During the early part of the Rebellion he served in McNairy’s regiment for about three months, the same length of time being spent in the latter part of the war in Oosley’s battalion. He is a member of New Hope Lodge No 42, of the A. F. & A. M., belongs to the Farmers’ Alliance also, and is a member of the Christian Church, both his wives being members also.