COLFAX R. HOPKINS was born in La Porte County, Indiana, in March 1861, the last surviving child of Samuel and Mrs. Julia Lathrop Hopkins of Lake County, and of Nebraska. Coming into Lake County in infancy, residing for a time, in boyhood, in Crown Point, a young member then of the Crown Point Institute, going with his father and mother to Nebraska in January 1887, where his father died in January 1888, and his mother April 30th, 1891, then sixty years of age, he came back last Christmas on a visit to Crown Point. Two little girls, the sisters of the household, had died, each when about sixteen months of age, and one brother, George, when two years of age, before the removal of the family to Nebraska, so that Colfax R. remained as the last of his father's family. That father had served his country in the Union Army three years, a member of the 73d Regiment of Illinois. The mother was the oldest sister of Mrs. Underwood of Crown Point. That son came to Mrs. Underwood's home for the last time about the seventh of February, having been visiting his relatives in Hobart and in Chicago, and having been unwell for some days in Chicago. His disease soon developed into diphtheria and on Sunday, February 14th he died, not having completed thirty-one years of life.
As a boy he was full of life and joy. He had a pleasant cheerful disposition. Referring to the kindness he received and to the care of his physician, he said, he ought not to complain and was reminded that he had not complained. He was aware that death was at hand and his kindred here believe that he passed away trusting in the one Saviour who is the only refuge for us all. Some of his kindred from Hobart, Ainsworth, and Chicago were present when on Monday the dust was committed to the dust in the Crown Point cemetery. So all of that little household of six have perished from the earth.
"Their graves are severed far and wide" but the angel watchers are equally near to them all.
Of Colfax R. Hopkins, once a light hearted boy in Crown Point, this is the memorial.
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