Richard Hopkins ICHARD HOPKINS was born in Torresdale, hood days were spent with his grandfather, Francis S. Lathrop, who at one time, was receiver of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The Hopkins family has a long and distinguished pedigree, and is notable for its activity, influence and achievement. Few families can compare with them for their energy and industry, or what is equally important, so far as affairs of state are concerned. On his maternal side he was a descendant of the Reverend John Lathrop, who came to this country from England, in 1634. Richard Hopkins was educated at Saint John's school, Ossining, New York. After graduation he became a telegraph operator, in the paymaster's office, of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and spent his evenings, Sundays and holidays selling and delivering kerosene oil to country stores in the vicinity of Madison, New Jersey. In 1882 he left the employ of the Central Railroad Company and formed the firm of Hopkins & Rossell, dealers in lubricating oils. In 1890 Mr. Hopkins purchased the business of the Pennsylvania & Delaware Oil Company, of Chester, Pennsylvania, and after he had recognized and incorporated the company, in 1893, he moved the plant to Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1898, owing to the exorbitant rates of a public lighterage company, he organized the Staten Island Sound Transportation Company, which was consolidated with the New York and New Jersey Steamboat Company, in 1900, and incorporated under the latter name, Mr. Hopkins being made president. In 1901 he formed the New York Rosin Oil & Varnish Company, established its plant in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was made its president. In 1913 he organized the National Oil & Size Company, of Savannah, Georgia, and became its president. In 1916 this Company absorbed the New York Rosin Oil & Varnish Company. During this latter year Mr. Hopkins organized the Port Wentworth Navigation Company for the purpose of transporting labor and materials from Savannah to the various shipyards and other industries along the Savannah River. This Company was taken over, in 1917, by the Port Wentworth Terminal Company. He was a member of the Baltusrol Golf Club of New Jersey, the Downtown Association, and the Machinery Club of New York, and the Oglethorpe Club of Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Hopkins acquired from his cousin, Louise G. Lathrop, the plantation near Savannah, which came to her through direct descent from Joseph Gibbons, who received the land by grant from King George III. of England. Mr. Hopkins married, in 1893, Florence, daughter of Hiram and Caroline Wright Todd, and had one son, William Lathrop Hopkins, who succeeds his father in the numerous enterprises. He married, June 23rd, 1917, Amy Lane, daughter of Orton Goodwin and Amy Slade Dale. Mr. Hopkins died June 6th, 1921. His three conspicuous elements were his constructive business ability, his absolute honesty, and his invincible courage. He was a great business builder, with a genius for organization. William Hamersley ILLIAM HAMERSLEY was born in Hartford, Connecticut, September 9th, 1838; son of William James and Laura Sophia Cook Hamersley. The first of the family in this country, William Hamersley, was an officer in the British Navy. He served on his Majesty's ship "Valeur" and was stationed in New York in 1714. He married in 1716, Lucretia, daughter of Andries Grevenredt and granddaughter of Johannes Van Brugh. Their son, Andrew Hamersley, married Margaret Gordon Stelle, daughter of Thomas Gordon and Janet Mudie, of Montrose, Scotland. Thomas Gordon was one of the proprietors of East Jersey. William Hamersley, son of Andrew married Elizabeth Van Cortlandt de Peyster, daughter of James de Peyster and Sarah Read, and granddaughter of Joseph Read, who was a member of the King's Council, and also granddaughter of Abraham de Peyster, treasurer of the Province of New York. William J. Hamersley, his son, married Laura Sophia Cook, daughter of Sophia Pratt and Oliver Dudley Cook, who was a publisher of standard works and school books in Hartford, Connecticut. William Hamersley, their son, was graduated from Trinity College in 1858, and after studies at the Harvard Law School admitted to the Bar. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession. He served as president of the Common Council and as City Attorney of Hartford, and for twenty years was State's Attorney for Hartford County. He also served in the Legislature, |