Biography of Samuel Bryant Hoppes
From HISTORY OF MADISON & FAYETTE COUNTIES
This sterling and leading citizen of Perry Township, Fayette County, who has proved his worth as a successful agriculturist, is at present residing on his farm in this township. He is the son of Hinton and Sarah (Garringer) Hoppes, natives of Wayne Township, Fayette County. The father was born in 1819, and is the son of John Hoppes, who was born in North Carolina, and at an early day removed to this county. The mother of our subject was the daughter of David and Serena (Yeoman) Garringer, her birth occurring in 1826.
Mr. and Mrs. Hinton Hoppes lived upon a farm in Union Township until 1881, at which time they moved to Rockville. They were members of the Old-school Baptist Church, in which body Mr. Hoppes was Deacon. Our subject was the eldest in the parental family of eight children, only five of whom are living. His birth occurred June 15, 1846, on the farm in Wayne Township. His primary studies were conducted in the common schools in Union Township, and were supplemented by a course at Washington C.H. He remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, when he taught one term of winter school in Union Township.
When starting out in life for himself, our subject purchased fifty-four acres of land in Wayne Township, which he farmed with signal success. He was married January 27, 1874 to Miss Nancy, daughter of John and Nancy (McWilliams) Sollars. The father was born in Washington County, Pa., February 9, 1806, and the mother in Washington County, this State, March 22, 1808. They were married in Clermont County, this State, soon after which event they located on a wild farm in Wayne Township, Fayette County, which is their present abiding-place. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living. Two sons, Samuel and Franklin, participated in the late war. The former was fatally wounded at Paducah, Ky., and the latter died in the service, at Baltimore, of typhoid fever. Another son, John, took part in the Morgan raid.
Mrs. Hoppes was born November 3, 1848, and was given a good education by her parents. After her marriage with our subject, the young couple lived on the Milton Yeoman Farm in Wayne Township, Fayette County, and in 1881 moved to their present place of residence. Mr. Hoppes has a fine barn, 40x68 feet in dimensions, with basement, which was erected in 1887. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty-five acres in the home farm and one hundred and eighty-seven at Rockville, seventy-five of which are in timber. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and so manages the operations of his estate that he reaps a fine income.
To our subject and his good wife have been granted a family of six children, all of whom are living: John Hinton, Charles Hess, Samuel James, Nancy Ann, Robert Newton and Sarah Elizabeth. They have all enjoyed the best school advantages which the district afforded and are destined to become useful citizens. Politically, Mr. Hoppes is a Democrat and has served his township efficiently as Supervisor. His interest in educational matters has caused him to be placed on the School Board. He has been a hard worker all his life and the reward of his persistent industry is seen in his beautiful farm, which is one of the most productive in this section.