Richard Henry Hopkins, son of Richard and Emeline (Lewis) Hopkins, was born in Chesterfield, May 9, 1831, and died February 21, 1877. He received a good business education, and then learned the machinist trade at Hinsdale, N. H., after which he returned to Chesterfield Factory and soon engaged in the manufacture of bits and augers for Benjamin Pierce, and continued in the business till April 1, 1870. From 1868 to 1870 Fred B. Pierce was his partner, under the firm name of Hopkins & Pierce. He also in company with Horace Howe, (who for many years had been overseer in a cotton mill,) purchased the cotton factory, and converted it into a shop for the manufacture of woodenware, and under the firm name of Howe & Hopkins, made spinning wheels, flax wheels, hatchels, &c., several years. In April, 1870, he removed to Hinsdale, N. H., and went into company with G. S. Wilder, under the firm name of Wilder & Hopkins, edgetoolmanufacturers. In 1872, in company with George C. Fisk, president of the Wason Manufacturing Company, car builders, of Springfield, Mass., under the firm name of Fisk & Hopkins Paper Co., he built a paper mill at Hinsdale, of which he was the successful manager until his death. He was a fortunate financier, honest and punctual in his business affairs, cheerful, social, temperate, and with a free hand and open purse to aid everything beneficial to society, moral, educational, or religious-he was a deservedly trusted and popular man in the communities where he lived. In 1858 and 1859 he was elected selectman by the voters of Chesterfield, and in 1865 and 1866 represented the same constituency in the New Hampshire house of representatives. He was also a trustee of the Hinsdale Savings bank, a Master Mason, and a worthy and honored member of the Congregational church. January 6, 1853, he was married to Ellen M. Newton, who was born October 21, 1831, and most highly esteemed for her many virtues, by all who knew her, and who died September 26, 1875. The following were their children: Charles B., born May 16, 1855, resides in Hinsdale, and has been manager of the Brightwood paper mill since his father’s death; Isabel A., born May 23, 1857, died September 6, 1858; Herbert H., born July 2, 1861, married and resides in Hinckley, Illinois; Hattie E., born February 24, 1864, and died August 18, 1865; Clara E., born February 3, 1868, graduated from Tilden Seminary, June 17th, 1885; and George C., born January 10, 1873, and now lives in Greenfield, Mass.
