Samuel J. Hopkins
Samuel J. Hopkins (deceased) was born in Nelson, this county, in 1822. He married, October 11, 1852, Miss Harriet W. Prentiss, whose father, Cyrus Prentiss, of Francestown, N. H., established a store in Ravenna, this county, in 1822, in which he retained an interest until his death, and married Miss Clarissa Wetmore, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in 1827. Mr. Prentiss devoted himself with wonderful energy and zeal to the building of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad. It is said that without his eiforts the road would never have been constructed. When he fell into delicate health and the road was in good working and running order he became its President, and this position he retained as long as his health permitted. He died July 31, 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins were born three children: C. P., Clara S. and Arthur P. Mr. Hopkins was engaged in the dry goods business until 1860, and after that in the wholesale produce and cheese business, until his death, which occurred April 25, 1882.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885