MARSDEN HOPWOOD is the proprietor of one of the many fine farms for which this county is noted. It is pleasantly located twelve miles from Springfield in the township of Salisbury, where our subject occupies a leading position among the most intelligent and enterprising farmers and stock raisers who are connected with its great agricultural interests.
Rushton Hopwood, the father of our subject, was born in Lancashire, England, and was the son of James Hopwood, a farmer of that shire. Mr. Hopwood was employed in the print works in Accrington, where he lived until he was about sixty years old. In 1858 he came to America to join our subject, and from Menard County he came here in 1859, and spent his last years here, dying in 1871. He was a man of sound sense and solid character. In his political views he sided with the Republicans. In early life he married Margaret Cock, a native of Lancashire, England, and a daughter of Marsden Cock, who was an English farmer. Mrs. Hopwood died here in 1868. She was a devoted member of the Christian Church. The following five children were born to the parents of our subject: Nicholas, a resident of Menard County, where he is extensively engaged in farming; William, who died in this township; Alice, Mrs. French, who died in England; Marsden; and James, a farmer in Salisbury Township. Nicholas was a brave soldier during the late Rebellion. He volunteered in 1862 as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war. While taking part in battle he was wounded in the leg.
The gentleman to whom these notes particularly refer was born in Accrington, Lancashire, England, September 20, 1840. In his boyhood he attended a select school for a time, but his education was otherwise somewhat limited. When eleven years old he was employed in the print works and after that attended night school. He continued in the print works until he was seventeen years old, and then came to America with his brother William to join his brother Nicholas who came to this country in 1856. The brothers left Liverpool in the merchant vessel "Charlotte," and after a pleasant voyage of forty-seven days approached New Orleans. The vessel lay at the mouth of the Mississippi eleven days on account of a sandbar. Our subject and his brother then came up the river to St. Louis, and from there to Naples, whence they made their way on foot to Lynnville in Morgan County, this State, where their brother was living. Mr. Hopwood began working out by the month on a farm and subsequently rented a farm in Menard County. In 1859 he and his brothers came to Salisbury Township and bought one hundred and twenty-two acres of land on section 22, forming a part of our subject's present farm. It was nearly all timber, with the exception of fifteen acres that had been cleared and broken and on which stood a log house. The Messrs. Hopwood formed in partnership until 1862, and then William and Marsden bought their brother's share in the place and the continued together until 1873, when they severed their connection.
After our subject and his brother William dissolved partnership the former retained sixty acres of the land and has since carried on agriculture by himself. He has added to his homestead until he now possesses tow hundred and sixty-five acres of land, well watered by the Sangamon River, under admirable tillage, and from its fertile soil he gleans rich harvests. He has improved the place quite extensively and has ample buildings and all the necessary conveniences for cultivating his land and raising stock. He has two large barns and a commodious dwelling house. He has been quite extensively engaged in raising grain and stock raising and feeding cattle by the carload. He used to have sheep but does not now. He has graded Clydesdale horses, two teams for farm work. Since 1889 he has rented the most of his farm, as he is now in comfortable circumstances and no longer needs to labor as hard as formerly.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Caroline Jordan was celebrated in Menard County April 27, 1872. Mrs. Hopwood is the daughter of John Jordan, a pioneer farmer of Menard County. She is an excellent housewife and understands well how to contribute to the comfort of her household. She is a woman of many virtues and is a valued member of the Christian Church in Salisbury. Of her marriage with our subject the following six children have been born - Mamie and Rosa M., who are at home with their parents; Harry and Nellie are also at home; and Alice and Rachael are deceased.
No man stands higher in the regard of his fellow citizens than our subject, who is in every way worthy of the estimation in which he is held. In his career as a farmer he has displayed an excellent capacity for business, forethought and wise calculation that have brought him to the front among the most prosperous members of the township. He has been influential in public affairs, taking an intelligent interest in all that concerned this locality and his public spirit has helped forward many plans devised for its advancement. Especially is this true in regard to education, as he is one of the most prominent members of the School Board and has served as its President for seven years. Socially he is a member of Equity Lodge, F.M.B.A., at Salisbury. Politically, he is a stanch advocate of the Republican party.