FRANCIS W. HOPPENBROCK

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 829:

Francis W. Hoppenbrock

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 21, Post-office, Sheldon).

   The lessons which Mr. Hoppenbrock’s career teaches is that industry, close attention to business, good executive ability and frugality will in the end succeed, and succeed abundantly.  Like so many foreign-born citizens in Missouri he has, by his own exertions and deserts, risen to an honorable position of prominence and worth in the agricultural affairs of this county, and is now accounted one of the reliable men of the community.  He was born in Prussia, Germany, February 10, 1827, and was the sixth of ten children in the family of his parents, Henry F. and Gertie (Feldman) Hoppenbrock, themselves natives of that country.  Young Frank was brought up at his birthplace and remained there until grown, finally when 25 years of age emigrating to America and settling at St. Louis, Mo., from whence in three months he moved to St. Charles county.  Remaining there three years, he subsequently came to Vernon county, in 1856, and since that time has been a resident of this locality, closely identified with its agricultural affairs.  Upon landing in the United States he was without means absolutely, and on coming to this county he was only able to enter eighty acres of land.  But he has not been idle, for by adding to this original tract from time to time, aided by his good management and prudence, he has now come in possession of 760 acres, every foot of which has been honestly acquired, and not any by speculation.  In February, 1859, Mr. H. was married to Miss Mary Simpson, of this county, and they have seven children: Sarah, wife of Howard Stevens; Ellen, wife of August Kuhlmann; Charles, Martha, Samuel, Louis and Emma.  One son is deceased, Lee.  During the war Mr. Hoppenbrock served in the Confederate army under Price, in Col. D. C. Hunter’s regiment for some time.  Politically he is a Democrat, and he and his family are members of the M. E. Church South.  Personally he is a man of good practical judgment, honest and upright in his business transactions, and universally respected.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

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