The following information is supported by photocopies of documents unless stated otherwise.

Wives of Francis M. Hopper
January 1867
Martisha Ayers
July 23, 1887
Susan Amanda Wilkins
Children of Francis (Frank) Hopper
December 1862
Sally
1864
Albert F.
1870
John C.
March 1873
Thompson Calbert
1877
Delia Clara
1878
Adelle
August 1885
Sidney Lawrence
1891
Charles D

 

 

Francis Marion (Frank) Hopper

1845 - 1918

September 3, 1845

Francis Marion Hopper was born in Owen county, KY.

June, 1850

Frank (5) lived with his father John W. and mother Margaret in Owen County, KY (per 1850 Census (90k) )

June 12, 1860

Frank (15) lived in Hendricks County, Pittsborough District, IN with his mother, father, sisters Malinda (16) Susan J (5) and brother John J (1)

September 14, 1861
4th KY Infantry Battle Flag.

Frank enlisted in Company 'D', 4th Kentucky Infantry Regiment near Owenton, KY and mustered in at Camp Burnette, TN. This unit became the 4th Infantry Mounted Regiment in 1863.

He was enlisted by Captain Willis Roberts of Owenton, KY and served under Major Hewitt and Colonel Trabeu. Frank signed up for 3 years or the duration of the war, whichever came first.

One of the battles Frank was in was the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro, TN) [ This link is to a narrative of that battle ] Frank fought for the Confederates - his father, John W Hopper fought on behalf of "Union" forces in that same battle. Family lore does not reveal if either knew that they fought on opposite sides in that battle.

December 1862

Sarah (Sallie) was born.

June 1864

Albert F. was born.

May 6, 1865

Frank's regiment surrendered in Washington, GA. Frank was transported to Nashville, TN where he took the oath of allegiance to the United States, then he was released and went home.

January 12-13, 1867

Married Martisha Ayers of Owen County, KY. She was 7 years older than Frank. He listed his occupation as 'farmer'. This was Frank's first marriage and Martisha's second. The 'Marriage Bond' was witnessed by Sarah S. Fortner and W. S. Willhoit(e).

1870

Frank (25 years old), Martitia (Martisha) (30 years old), Sallie, Albert and John C. (3 months old) lived in Owen County across the river from Monterey, KY. [Download an image of this 1870 census. - 70k]

John C (Calbert?) was born.

March 1873

Thompson Calbert was born.

1877

Delia Clara was born

1880

Adelle was born.

1880 Census

Vol. 24, ID 145, Line 27

Frank

40

Head

Farmer

Martha (Marti)

35

Wife

Housekeeper

Sallie

20

Daughter

 

Albert

16

Son

 

John

12

Son

 

Thompson

9

Son

 

Delia

5

Daughter

 

Adelle

2

Daughter

 

August 1885

Sidney Lawrence was born. He died 16 SEP 1926.

 

Frank abandoned his family in Gest, KY and traveled down the Kentucky River, to the Ohio River then to Paducah, KY.

Martisha lived the rest of her life as a 'widow'. Family lore is that Frank got on a raft he built and just disappeared down the Kentucky River. They apparently thought he was dead since they never heard from him again.

July 23, 1887

Married Susan Amanda (Mandy) Wilkins in Cairo, IL, by Alfred Cummings, Police Magistrate.

1900

Frank's first wife, Martisha, was living in Kentucky with her daughter Sallie Block (39) and Sallie's 56 year old husband. Martisha is listed as a widow.
1900 Kentucky Census [Download this KY 1900 census page [170 k]

1891

Charles D, was born.

 

Frank and Amanda also has 2 daughters that I don't have more information on yet.

November 13, 1913

Frank Applied for a pension at Paducah, McCracken County, Ky, as a disabled Confederate Soldier. The application states that he served in Company D, 4th Regiment, of the Kentucky Infantry.

1904

Frank and Susan's second daughter was born.

May 23, 1918

Frank died of stomach cancer after suffering for 5 months, 19 days at Pee Wee Valley Confederate Home Infirmary, near Pudacah, Oldham County, KY. Age 72 years, 6 months, 20 days. He was survived by his wife Amanda, a married daughter and a 14 year old daughter.

View his death certificate-PDF [ Click Here ]