EARLY BLIND TYPEWRITER INVENTOR MACHINIST DAIRY FARMER POLITICO PRESTON CT 1888
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:1583577 | Modified Item: No |
| Features: TYPEWRITER INVENTOR | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
| Vintage: Yes | Type: Manual |
| Brand: Unbranded | Year: 1888 |
HENRYHUNT HOPKINS(1821 – 1908)MACHINIST and EARLY TYPEWRITERINVENTOR, REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE BOARD OFSELECTMEN FOR PRESTON, NEW LONDON COUNTY CONNECTICUT, and MEMBER OF THE BOARDOF ASSESSORS, PROMINENT DAIRY FARMER and AGRICULTURISTIN PRESTON, CT&DESCENDANT OF CT GOVERNOR STEPHENHOPKINS. Hopkins connection with the inventions leading tothe typewriting machine is perhaps not well known. During his connection withthe firm of Allen & Thurber, Mr. Thurber invented a machine for... the use ofblind people, and upon this machine Mr. Hopkins, together with Horace Smith, later senior member of the famous Smith & Wesson Arms Company, worked untilit was brought to perfection. That machine formed the nucleus of thetypewriting machine later invented. Source: Genealogical and BiographicalRecord of New London County, Connecticut, 1905HERE’S ANAUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT SIGNED BY HOPKINS IN BOLD PENCIL – A RECEIPT FOR THEPURCHASE OF MILK FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 1888.The document measures 7” x 3” andbears a small vignette of a cow.<<>::<>>BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY HUNT HOPKINSHENRY HUNT HOPKINS was born Oct. 18, 1821 in Norwich, Connecticut, near the Falls, received his education in theFalls district schools, leaving the same at the age of sixteen years. Hisfather being a machinist, young Hopkins's naturally was turned in thatdirection, and he worked as an apprentice to the trade in Allen's shop, atGreeneville, of which shop his father, at that time, was Superintendent. Herethe lad remained for about two years, when his father returned to Norwich Fallsand became Superintendent of the Abner Pearce machine shop, and here young Hopkinswas also employed until the death of his father, at which time, although buttwenty years of age, was made Superintendent to succeed his father. He remainedin this capacity about one year, when he became employed in the Allen & Thurbershop, continuing there until the firm removed its plant to Worcester, Massachusetts, and after working for the concern at Worcester for some time he returned toConnecticut, purchasing a farm of 120 acres in Preston, New London County, CT, upon which he settled.About one year later he becameemployed by Christopher Brand at Norwich, manufacturing whale guns for the useof the whalers, shooting the harpoon instead of hunting it by hand. He continued at this work for about eighteenmonths. He then returned to his farm inPreston, and about a year later, bought stock in the Hopkins & Allen Companyof Norwich, which company had recently been formed. Of this concern, Hopkinsbecame Superintendent, remaining in this capacity for several years, when hesold out his stock and returned once more to his farm, where he has sinceresided, being engaged in general farming. Hopkins's place is in a good stateof cultivation, and is one of the best farms in the Town of Preston. It is wellstocked with cattle and for a number of years he conducted a milk route atNorwich, but now sends his cream to the Jewett City Creamery. He keeps on anaverage of about twenty cows.In politics Hopkins is a staunchRepublican, and has served the town of Preston in several offices of trust, having been a member of the Board of Selectmen for two years, a member of the Boardof Assessors, and a member of the Preston School Committee for several terms.Hopkins is one of the honored andhighly respected citizens of Preston, and one of that town's prominentagriculturists, employed with Allen & Thurber. Thurber invented a machinefor the use of blind people, and upon this machine Hopkins, together withHorace Smith (who later became a member of the famous Smith & Wesson firm), worked bringing the machine to completion. This machine formed the nucleus ofthe now universally used typewriter.For over fifty years, Hopkins hasresided upon his farm in Preston, and during that half a century has seen manychanges, not only in his township, but in the country. His life has been auseful and well spent one, filled with kindly actions and unselfish deeds, and inlooking back over the years which have passed, he may feel well satisfied withwhat he has accomplished. As a private citizen and public official, he hasdisplayed the same conscientious untiring energy which is so characteristic ofhim, and which has enabled him to accomplish what he has.Family HistoryHenry Hunt Hopkins was the son ofJoseph Olney and Lydia P. (Hazen) Hopkins, grandson of Colonel Silvanus andMary (Wanton) Hopkins, and the great-grandson of Rufus Hopkins, who filled manypositions of trust in the Revolutionary times, such as judge, assemblyman, andone of the owners and builders of Hope Furnace, which cast cannon for the useof the Continental army. Rufus Hopkins was the eldest son of Governor StephenHopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Rhode Island, chief justice of the Superior Court of Rhode Island, and of the fourth Americangeneration of the family which was founded by Thomas Hopkins, the founder ofthis very old and distinguished family. The line of descent to Governor StephenHopkins is through Major Williaan Hopkins, son of the founder; his son, WilliamHopkins, is the father of Governor Stephen Hopkins.On Nov. 20, 1842, Hopkins was marriedto Lucy Lathrop Sherman, daughter of Nathaniel Sherman of Norwich. She diedJan. 5, 1899, in Preston. The children born of this union are as follows:Joseph H., born Aug. 12, 1843, in Norwich, is unmarried and conducts the homefarm; Henrietta V., born Sept. 7, 1852, married Aug. 14, 1883 Herbert I.Prentice, of Preston City, where she died June 7, 188, although they lived atMarshalltown, Iowa, where he was engaged in a general merchandise business -they had no children; William H., born April 2, 1856, passed away Oct. 28, 1870;Sarah Jennie, born Jan. 21, 1859, married Sept. 11, 1888 John H. Wilson ofPreston, where he is engaged in farming on the Hopkins farm - they have nochildren.Source: Genealogical and Biographical Record of New London County, Connecticut..., 1905HenryHunt Hopkins Birth 18 Oct 1821 Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA Death 21 Aug 1908 (aged 86) Preston, New London County, Connecticut, USA Burial Yantic Cemetery Norwich, New London County, Connecticut I am a proud member of the Universal Autograph Collectors Club(UACC), The Ephemera Society of America, the Manuscript Society and theAmerican Political Items Collectors (APIC) (member name: John Lissandrello). Isubscribe to each organizations' code of ethics and authenticity is guaranteed.~Providing quality service and historical memorabilia online for over 20years.~
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WE ONLY SELL GENUINE ITEMS, i.e., NO REPRODUCTIONS, FAKES OR COPIES!
