Sarah Orillia Tillotson was born July 8, 1860 in Duplain, Clinton County, Michigan. (Sarah's middle name also appears as "Orilla". Sarah's daughter Lorene spelled it Orillia.) Sarah's nickname was "Sade" or "Sadie." Sarah was the daughter of Franklin James Tillotson and Jane Ann Sexton, and the sister of my great-grandfather James Francis Tillotson. Sarah married William Thaddeus Hopkins on November 30, 1881. He was usually called "Thad" by the family.
Thad was the son of Samuel W. Hopkins and Nancy Rolin Brough. Nancy's name sometimes appears as Nancy Broof, probably representing the way it was pronounced. Samuel's middle name appears as both Wilson and William. Samuel and Nancy were from Virginia. Samuel was probably born in Roanoke County, Virginia.
Samuel and Nancy moved to Warren County, Missouri in 1858. Thad was born May 1, 1859 in Warrenton, Warren County, Missouri. Samuel and Nancy moved their family to Kansas in 1877. Both Samuel and Nancy died in Enterprise, Dickinson County, Kansas and are buried there.
Samuel was a grain dealer. He served on the Union side during the Civil War. His brother Charles fought on the side of the Confederacy. Samuel also served as a police judge and marshall in Enterprise.
The Abilene Chronicle and Gazette for Friday, December 9, 1881 reports:
Enterprise. W. T. Hopkins went on a weeks vacation and returned with a wife.
The wife was Sarah. I believe this "vacation" was actually a trip back to Crete, Will County, Illinois to marry Sarah and meet her family.
The Chronicle for Friday, December 16, 1881 notes:
Enterprise. Thaddeus Hopkins, a salesman, has become a brother-in-law of Squire Darling.
"Squire Darling" refers to Abram Reuben Darling who had married Eveline Maria Tillotson, Sarah's sister, in 1869.
Sarah Orillia Tillotson.
Sarah Orillia Tillotson and William Thaddeus Hopkins had five children:
Milo Hopkins was born April 11, 1883. He died three months later. Milo is buried in Enterprise, Dickinson County, Kansas.
Roscoe Conklin Hopkins was born August 4, 1884. He was married twice. He first married Jessie Matt Haugland, with whom he had one child:
Jean Clement Hopkins was born April 17, 1915. She was actually reared by her mother and her maternal aunt and uncle Dr. and Mrs. Clement Grimsby, so I presume Roscoe and Jessie were estranged shortly after Jean was born.
Jean was graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1932, and from Coffeyville Junior College in 1934.
Jean eloped with Stephen Edward Aduddell on November 2, 1934. Stephen was born September 25, 1914 to Ivus E. and Flora B. Aduddell.
Jean and Stephen made their home in Coffeyville, Montgomery County, Kansas. Stephen worked as a school teacher and school principal, grain merchant, and real estate salesman in Coffeyville. He was a member of many local and state civic boards. Jean was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Coffeyville. She served in the Earnest Workers and the Red Cross Grey Ladies. She was fond of travelling.
Jean and Stephen had two sons. One of these, Stephen Clement Aduddell, died in 2004.
Stephen Edward Aduddell died April 1, 1995 in Coffeyville. Jean Hopkins Aduddell died January 3, 2005 in Coffeyville. They are buried in Fairview Cemetery.
Roscoe Conklin Hopkins.
Roscoe Conklin Hopkins.
Roscoe married Clara Robbins sometime prior to 1930. He remained married to her until his death. Roscoe died August 1, 1960 in Springfield, Christian County, Missouri. He is buried in Kansas City, Missouri near the old Sears Roebuck warehouse on Tauman Road. Roscoe's obituary reads as follows.
Roscoe C. Hopkins
Roscoe C. Hopkins, 75, Springfield, Mo., died Monday at the home following a long illness. Mr. Hopkins was a resident of Kansas City 70 years. He was born at Enterprise, Kas. He formerly was an analyst for the War Production board, and was a purchasing agent for the Mutual Oil company, Kansas City, at the time of his retirement in 1945. He was a life member of the Ararat Shrine, a past president and member of the Kansas City Secretaries forum, and an executive secretary of the former Co-Operative club of Kansas City. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Clara (Robbins) Hopkins of the home, and a sister, Mrs. Lorene Sandstrom, Kansas City, Kansas.
Frank Samuel Hopkins was born August 22, 1887 in Enterprise, Dickinson County, Kansas. He married Viva Angle on June 16, 1909. She was the daughter of Jacob Pierce Angle and Stella Walker. An announcement of Frank and Viva's engagement reads:
Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Angle, 714 Washington boulevard, Kansas City, Kas., announce the engagement of their daughter, Viva, to Mr. Frank S. Hopkins. The wedding will take place in June.
A description of the wedding appeared in the local newspaper the following day.
About one hundred guests witnessed the marriage of Miss Viva Angle, daughter of Judge and Mrs. J. P. Angle, to Mr. Frank Hopkins at the family home, 710 Washington avenue, last evening. The house was beautifully decorated with a profusion of asparagus fern and smilax. The mantels were banked with this beautiful feathery green and the double doorways through which the bridal procession passed were festooned with it. In addition to the green, pink sweet peas were used about the rooms. While Mendelssohn's wedding march was played by Miss Edna Miller, the ribbon bearers advanced from the hall and formed an aisle with their ribbons through the two parlors to the bay window where the ceremony was performed in front of a bank of palms. The bride and her maid of honor came in together and were met by the groom and best man, Mr. Roscoe Hopkins. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Clyde Cissell of the Washington Avenue M. E. church. The bride wore an exquisite gown of imported embroidered chiffon over liberty silk, made empire with long train. The veil was full length, fastened with lilies of the valley. The bride carried a shower bouquet of brides roses and lilies of the valley. The maid of honor, Miss Amelia Neill of Kansas City, Mo., wore white net over satin made princess, and carried sweet peas and maiden hair ferns. The ribbon bearers, Miss Lida Angle, Miss Brownie Angle, Miss Helen Quimby, Miss Mildred Holliday, Miss Clara Matthews, Miss Reba Painter and Miss May Blaine, were dressed in white lingerie dresses. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins left for an eastern trip and will be at home after August 1st at 2026 North Fifth street. Those assisting Judge and Mrs. Angle were: Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Speck, Mrs. Wm. Pittman, Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Mary Carney, Miss McArthur, Riverside, Cal.
Frank worked for the Missouri and Kansas telephone company. While travelling in Colorado he contracted tuberculosis. His condition deteriorated after he returned home. Frank died at the home of his parents in Kansas City, Kansas on May 25, 1910. Frank and Viva had been married a little less than one year at the time of Frank's death. Frank and Viva had no children.
Frank is buried in the Angle plot in Oak Grove Cemetery near Kansas City, Kansas. After Frank's death, Viva moved to Topeka, Kansas. She married Herbert Laurens Armstrong on November 18, 1916. They had two children.
Three obituaries for Frank follow.
FRANK HOPKINS DEAD.
Died at the Home of his Father Early
This Morning.
Frank S. Hopkins, 27 (sic) years old, died at the home of his father, W. T. Hopkins, 1617 North Seventh street, this morning.
Mr. Hopkins was married to Miss Viva Angle, daughter of Judge Angle, chairman of the board of park commissioners, June 16, 1909. He is survived by his wife, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hopkins, a sister Lorene and a brother Roscoe C. Hopkins. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, from the home of his parents. Burial will be in Oak Grove cemetery.
Married a Year, F. S. Hopkins Dies.
Frank S. Hopkins, 23 years old, employed by the Missouri and Kansas telephone company, died of tuberculosis last night at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hopkins of 1617 North Seventh Street, Kansas City, Kas. Last June he was married to Miss Viva Angle, a daughter of J. P. Angle of the Kansas City, Kas., park board. He is survived by a brother, R. C. Hopkins, and a sister, Miss Lorene Hopkins, besides the widow. Funeral services will be at the Hopkins home at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. The burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.
HOPKINS-- Frank S., died Wednesday morning 4:25 o'clock. He was born August 22, 1887, Enterprise, Kas. Married June 16, 1909, to Miss Viva Angle. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hopkins, Kansas City, Kansas. He is survived by a brother, R. C. Hopkins, and a sister, Lorene, and his wife. Funeral Friday afternoon 2 o'clock from the W. T. Hopkins residence. Burial Oak Grove Cemetery.
Frank Samuel Hopkins.
Frank Samuel Hopkins.
Frank Samuel Hopkins.
Lorene Evelyn Hopkins was born January 3, 1898 in Enterprise, Dickinson County, Kansas. She married Carl Martin Sandstrom on June 15, 1922. Lorene and Carl had two children:
Thaddeus M. Sandstrom was born in 1925. He was for many years the vice president and general manager of WIBW radio and television in Topeka, Kansas. Tragically he was shot to death in 1977. His wife Milda was convicted of the crime. Thad and Milda had no children.
In the late 1940s Thad managed the fledgling Topeka Kansas FM station for Stauffer Publications where he attended Washburn University. Later he ran Stauffer's Pittburg AM station. In 1957 he took over WIBW-TV and Radio. Within a year both stations became profitable. Thad helped expand Stauffer broadcasting to six AM stations, three FM stations, the Kansas City Royals network, the All-American Quarter Horse TV network, and a cable television partnership. Thad was also well known as a staunch supporter of agricultural radio and television programming.
Thad served as a director of the Kansas Department of Commerce during the administrations of Kansas governors William Henry Avery and Robert B. Docking.
In 1978 Thad received the Grover Cobb award posthumously. This award is named for Grover Cobb who headed the National Association of Broadcasters government relations activities in the 1970s. The Cobb award honors a broadcaster or public official who demonstrates unusual dedication to improving broadcasting's relationship with the federal government.
In 2000 Thad was inducted as a charter member into the Hall of Fame of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.
Carl Sandstrom was Executive Secretary of the Kansas Food Dealers Association. He travelled frequently to Chicago to attend food and restaurant conventions, and so was well-acquainted with my grandparents John Burns and Eva Tillotson and their children.
Carl Sandstrom died February 2, 1960 in Kansas City. Lorene Hopkins Sandstrom died about March 21, 1966 in Kansas City. See her obituaries. Right up until she died, Lorene frequently corresponded with my my aunts. Lorene was very interested in genealogy. She joined the Daughters of the American Revolution in part based upon the service of her ancestor Samuel Tillotson.
Thad and Sarah moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1890. In 1894 they moved to harrington, and then to Hutchinson. They returned to Kansas City, Kansas in 1902.
Thad Hopkins was a well educated and successful businessman, primarily a travelling salesman. He held several positions of trust in Enterprise, Kansas including that of postmaster and police judge. Sarah, like several of her sisters, trained as a teacher. She taught school in Crete, Will County, Illinois. Sarah met Thad Hopkins in Enterprise, Kansas while visiting her sister Eveline Tillotson Darling.
Sarah Orillia Tillotson Hopkins died October 10, 1918 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. She is buried there in Mount Hope Cemetery. William Thaddeus Hopkins died January 13, 1942 in Kansas City. William's obituary read as follows.
W. T. Hopkins, 82, Is Dead.
William Thaddeus Hopkins, 82, died yesterday at Bethany hospital. Mr. Hopkins had been market manager of the City Market association since 1920. He came here forty years ago from Enterprise, Kan., where he was a former postmaster. At one time he was also assistant superintendent of the Boys' reformatory at Hutchinson.He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Carl Sandstrom, with whom he made his home; a son, Roscoe C. Hopkins; two sisters, Mrs. Henry P. Haze, Omaha, Neb.; and Mrs. T. J. Whitfield, Muskogee, Oklahoma.
The following article written by Jim Porter appeared in a local Kansas newspaper in 1939.
Tho 80 years old W. T. Hopkins is as active as ever in business, drives his Model T Ford car wherever he goes and is probably more mentally alert than you or I. As a matter of fact, we strongly doubt if anyone in this city knows more about what is happening in Washington, D. C. than Hopkins. His hobby is reading every issue of the Congressional Record from cover to cover. And not only does he read the lengthy and sometimes involved speeches of senators and congressmen, he digests them, tho we expect this sometimes gives him indigestion.
For the last seventeen years Mr. Hopkins has been managing the City Market property at Sixth street and Tauromee avenue, keeping regular office hours in the back of the block-long property from 8 o'clock in the morning until 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Every evening after dinner he settles down in his chair and pores over the Congressional Record until 10 or 10:30 o'clock when he retires to rise the next morning at 6. He makes his home with his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sandstrom. Mrs. Sandstrom will give a birthday dinner for her father Sunday night, tho his eightieth birthday is not until Monday.
Always interested in politics, Mr. Hopkins was active in electing two governors on the old Populist ticket, L. D. Lewelling and John W. Leedy; one congressman on the same ticket, W. D. Vincent, and one congressman from the Greenback party, John Davis. Interested in the good of the country rather than in his own personal welfare, tho, he accepted but one political post, assistant superintendent of the industrial school at Hutchinson. Hopkins became so interested in the Bryan presidential campaign he bought a newspaper, the Herington (Kansas) Tribune, just so he could espouse the cause of the "16 to 1" silver leader. He recalls that many of the railroad men were for Bryan while their bosses were opposed to him. Thus, to escape from being seen by their higher-ups the railroadmen had to come in and talk with Hopkins under the cover of darkness. He sold the paper after the election. Mr. Hopkins has worked in many occupations, liked them all, and can't see why anyone doesn't enjoy life. He certainly does.
During the Prohibition era, William helped padlock the saloons in Kansas City. An unconfirmed family tradition suggests William T. Hopkins was among the pallbearers for the funeral of prohitionist Carry A. Nation.
Photos of Roscoe and Frank Hopkins courtesy Susan Linn and Thomas Tompkins. My thanks to Candy Severson for the items from the Abilene Chronicle and Gazette. Susan and Tim Ficklin provided the information on Viva Angle's second marriage and the marriage notices and obituaries for Frank Hopkins. Gus Sandstrom provided the other biographical information and photos.
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Last modified by pib on July 29, 2006.