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Of Hopkins Twp., Whiteside Co IL
Jason Hopkins was a native of Nashville, Tennesse, (Davidson Co) and was born December 26, 1786. He remained at Nashville until he was middle aged, when he came to Illinois and settled at Belleville, (St. Clair Co IL) and from thence went to Peoria.
When the Black Hawk war broke out he volunteered in a cavalry regiment, was appointed Quarter Master, and served in that capacity during the war. In 1835 he came to Como, as previously mentioned in this chapter, where he remained until his death, August 19, 1853, at the age of sixty-six years.
His children were William Tell, born February 22, 1837; Helen, born August 1, 1838; Francis E., born February 25, 1840, and James P., October 4, 1842. William Tell died about 1862. Helen married William Carson, of Henry county, Illinois; children, Charles, Bertie, John J. and Hattie. Francis E. married W. S. Angell, October 4, 1865; children, William H. H., Carl, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Hopkins was a cabinet maker, and worked at his trade until he came to Como. Mr. Deyo, in Sterling, has a table made by him over forty years ago. He possessed many traits of character peculiar to the citizens of ancient Rome in its Republican days, firmness, unswerving integrity, and patriotism. He was an intimate acquaintance and great admirer of General Jackson. He was altogether a remarkable man, and admirably fitted for a pioneer. The township of Hopkins was named in his honor.
Bent-Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877
Jason Hopkins, for whom Hopkins Township was named, was a native of Nashville, Tenn., and was born Jan. 27, 1789 (The birthdate s/b 26 Dec 1786?) . He remained at Nashville till about the middle age of life, when he came to Illinois on account of his anti-slavery principles, and settled at Belleville. From there he went to Peoria. When the Black Hawk War broke out, he volunteered in a cavalry regiment, was appointed Quartermaster, and served in that capacity during the war. In the autumn of 1832, as the troops were returning to their homes Mr. Hopkins, with a party, came to Rock River, and in coasting along its banks came to the site of the present village of Como. Being impressed with the beauty of the place, he made a claim covering the whole tract known in pioneer parlance as a "jack-knife claim" by cutting his name in the bark of trees. Mr. Hopkins often spoke of this location as being as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. He was married at Peoria, Ill., to Eleanor Johnson, who was born Dec. 29, 1801, near Bowling Green, Ky., and with her Mr. H. returned in 1835 and surveyed the claim, establishing the boundaries by marking trees in the timber and running furrows through the prairie with an ox team and a prairie plow. He afterwards purchased the claim, comprising sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, and as much ad joining as made 3,200 acres. He built the first log cabin in. the township that bears his name. He died Aug. 19, 1853. He possessed many traits of character peculiar to the citizens of ancient Rome in its republican days, - firmness, unswerving integrity and patriotism. He was in intimate acquaintance with, and a great admirer of General Jackson. He was altogether a remarkable man and admirably fitted for a pioneer. Mrs. H., his wife, died May 13, 1858. Their children were four in number and were named William T., Helen, Frances and James P. The first mentioned, William T. Hopkins, was the first white male child born in Whiteside County. He died about 1862. Portraits & Biographical Pg 369
Jason Hopkins was first married in Davidson Co TN to Alice (Alcey/Alsee) Williams on 19 April 1809 daughter of George & Alice (Abernathy) Williams. She was born about 1786. At this time no divorce papers have turned up between Jason and Alsee. They were the parents of five children who are believed to have all been born in Giles County TN. 1. Gray Jones Hopkins born about 1815, married Margaret Elizabeth Roland. Their children all born in Giles Co TN where; Benjamin 1842, Gustas 1845, Elizabeth 1850, Martha 1853 married George Russell, Gray Jones 1855 married Virginia Lee Bowers , William 1857 and Harriet 1858. 2. Gustavas Adolphus Hopkins born 13 Oct 1819 died 6 Jan 1892 married Elizabeth Damarus Brown around 1840 in Giles Co TN. Their children all born in Giles Co TN were; Littitia Victoria 12 Apr 1841 married Wm. Thomas Keeling, Wilson L. 17 Mar 1844 died 9 Feb 1862 Russellville KY, William Smith 17 Dec 1847 died 30 Nov 1924 married Ethelinda Harwell, Louisa Miral 10 Jul 1850 died 7 Oct 1862, Alcey Octavia 1855 died 14 Nov 1930 married Willis J. Brown , Edward 28 Dec 1857 died 12 May 1864, Marion E. 2 Nov 1859 died 24 Aug 1881, Samuel/Stonewall Lee 27 Dec 1862 died 29 Apr 1944 married Harriet Ladocia Aymett, Annie Vashti 9 Feb. 1864 died 17 Mar 1926 married Albert Sidney Abernathy 22 Jun 1882 in Giles Co. 3. Holmes Hamilton Hopkins born 1822, married Julia Morris around 1866 in TN. Their children all born in Jackson Co. AL were Adolphus Gustavus 1865 died 1917, Martha L. 1861, Elizabeth L. 1866, Holmes Hamilton 28 May 1869 died 15 Dec 1934. 4. Marion Hopkins born about 1823 in TN, married John Reese around 1848. Children were Elanta 1848, Narcissa 1850, Earnest 1851, Mary 1853, Thadius 1855, Claude B. 1859 and Louisa 1865. 5. Rebecca Hopkins born about 1826 married Absalom Harwell Then shortly after the birth of his youngest daughter Rebecca, it is found that Jason Hopkins abandoned his family and left town with Nancy (Brown) Edwards. TENNESSEE DIVORCES 1797-1858 compiled by Gale W. Bamman & Debbie Spero. p. 29
"John W. Edwards, 1827, Giles County. Things apparently didn't work out with Nancy - for we find Jason Hopkins in Peoria IL where he married Eleanor Johnson 14 August 1836. From the biographies above we can see that at this point in his life he settled in Como, Hopkins Twp. Whiteside County IL. As far as anyone knows Alsee (first wife) never divorced him and never remarried. However on the 1850 census of Giles County TN she is listed as Alsy Williams [maiden name] age 64 living in the household of her daughter and son-in-law Marion and John Reese. Also in the household was daughter Rebecca. Alsee and Jason's children remained in Giles County and many are buried there, but no record has yet been found for Alsee. When Jason absconded he left behind 5 children under 10 years old. His story that he left TN because of his opposition to slavery was a pure invention. As to how he got rid of Nancy, the testimony from her husband sounds as if she was a very difficult woman to live with. The Children of Jason Hopkins and Eleanor are all mentioned above and here is some more information found: William Tell Hopkins died 12 Dec 1862 at age 25 James Polk Hopkins married Aseneth Hannah Lamont on 30 Nov 1869 in Henry Co IL. She was born 2 Nov 1842 in Canada and died 2 Oct 1927 in Whiteside Co IL. The children, all born in Whiteside county, were Eleanor born Dec 1870, Jesse V 1873, Asenath 1875, Eunice B 1878, James Polk Oct 1881 he died 11 Mar 1949. Jason Hopkins is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling, Whiteside County IL. This additional information provided by Janelle Swearingen
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