GEORGE D. B. HOPKINS. - George D. B. Hopkins is a well known citizen of Springfield, being especially prominent in fraternal and musical circles. The business interests of the city are also represented by him, and whether in public or private life he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held.

A native of Springfield, Mr. Hopkins was born on the 15th of March, 1860, at the old home, where he brother, E. B. Hopkins, now resides. His father is Captain Caleb Hopkins, Jr., whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Our subject acquired his education in the old Edward school, on Edwards street, and was fourteen years of age when he laid aside his textbooks to enter upon the more responsible duties of business life. He learned type-setting at Weber's job printing office, and when the firm purchased the State Register he remained with them, becoming foreman of their business. For ten years he was in their employ and then went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he took charge of the job printing establishment of Bishop Brothers, who did fine color work. At that time Mr. Hopkins was considered one of the most expert pressmen in this section of the country. After one year spent in Kansas City he went to Peoria, Illinois, where he had charge of the pressroom of the Transcript for about two years. At the end of that time he returned to Springfield to take charge of the Journal pressroom, where he likewise remained for two years, and as pressman was next with Rokker's job printing establishment for about three years. Since then he has been connected with the machine department of the Springfield Watch Factory as an expert machinist. He is a natural mechanic of exceptional ability and is also a graduate of the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The Hopkins family possesses musical ability of a high order and this trait is inherited by our subject, who at the age of twelve years began the study of music, receiving special instruction from his eldest brother, Leon. He early became connected with Butler's Band, of Springfield, and has since been connected with a number of other bands and orchestras, including the German Band, Watch Factory Band and Fourth Regiment Band, the P. & O. Band, of Canton, Illinois; the Kansas City Band, the Spencer Band, of Peoria, and Butler's Lyman's and Blood's orchestras. He has also been a professor and instructor of several bands in small towns near Springfield and many church orchestras. He has done solo work with all the great bands of Illinois, Indiana and Missouri and has become widely known in musical circles throughout these states.

For fourteen months Mr. Hopkins served as foreman of Engine Company No. 7, of the paid fire department of Springfield, at the corner of Grand avenue and Edwards street. Politically he is identified with the Republican party and socially is connected with a number of civic societies, being a member of Guiding Star Tribe of Ben Hur; a Sir Knight of Capitol Tent, K. O.T.M.; a member of the Union Pressmen, the Musicians' Union and other fraternal organizations. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian.

On the 18th of June, 1883, at the home of the bride, at the corner of Lincoln avenue and Edwards street, Springfield, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hopkins and Miss E. Flora Magie, a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, and a daughter of A. H. Magie, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Hopkins received her literary education in the public schools of Springfield and also pursued her musical studies in this city and Terre Haute, becoming a fine vocalist and pianist. She also possesses exceptional ability as a whistler and has been called upon to sing at a great many entertainments. She, too, is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Ladies of the Maccabees, Frances Springer Circle, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Ladies' Lincoln and McKinley Club.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have been born three children. D. Parker, the eldest, was born April 3, 1884, and is now bookkeeper and collector for P. F. Kimble. He attended the public schools of this city and seems to have inherited the musical talents of his parents, being a player on stringed instruments and a member of several musical organizations. He belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Christian Endeavor Society of the Presbyterian church, being a young man of exemplary habits, using neither tobacco or liquor in any form. Arthur Augustus, born November 14, 1892, and Clarence Irving, born September 14, 1897, are both in school and also possess considerable musical ability and artistic tastes. The family is one of prominence in the social circles in which they move, and they are held in the highest regard by all who know them.