Santa Cruz County Biographies

JAMES HOPKINS, JR.

Submitted by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        One of the prominent and widely-known Native Sons of this State is the 
gentleman whose name is the caption of this article. Prominent as a Native Son, 
he is a charter member and Past President of Watsonville Parlor, No. 65, was a 
delegate to the Grand Parlor at Woodland in 1887, and served a term as District 
Deputy Grand President for the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito, 
during which time in his official capacity he organized the Parlors at Santa 
Cruz and Salinas. But as a persistent, consistent, aggressive, and intelligent 
advocate of the principles of prohibition he has acquired a greater prominence. 
He has been identified with the work of the Prohibition party of this State for 
several years, and is now chairman of the Santa Cruz County Committee and a 
member of the State Central Committee. Time has not dimmed his perception of the 
evils of the liquor traffic nor weakened his endeavors to abrogate what he 
regards as the greatest curse of our present political system. To quote his 
words: "I am strong in the faith, and feel that every man who has a family ought 
to be prominent in such work."
He has been a delegate to two State conventions, in which his voice has been 
heard advocating measures to promote the welfare of the Prohibition party and 
contribute to the public weal.           
        He was born in Los Angeles June 6, 1858, and came to the Pajaro Valley 
with his parents in 1860. His education was received in the Watsonville public 
school. His first work was in driving a cart and assisting in the construction 
of the Southern Pacific Railroad from Castroville to Pajaro. He was at that time 
fourteen years old. In 1874 he was apprenticed to G. S. Hamilton, a harness 
maker and saddler of Watsonville. He remained with him for three years. After 
learning his trade he got married, celebrating this event July 12, 1877, the 
other party to the contract being Miss Estella Tolman, of Watsonville. After his 
marriage he went to Contra Costa County, where he remained one year, working at 
his trade. He returned to Watsonville shortly afterwards and went to Hollister, 
where he engaged in farming for two years. He came back to Watsonville in the 
summer of 1881, and in the fall of the same year started in the harness-making 
business for himself, without any capital, except good health, a clear 
conscience, a stout heart, and a resolution to succeed. It is needless to add 
that he has succeeded. A business built upon this kind of a foundation always 
succeeds.
 
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.-  E. S. Harrison, 
Pacific Press Publ. Co., San Francisco, 1891