Hollace Lincoln Hopkins, a prominent figure in South Dakota’s business and political history, has left an indelible mark on the state. As the manager of the Sioux Valley Land Company and the founder of The Independent newspaper, Hopkins achieved widespread recognition and influence. He played an instrumental role in the expansion of the land company and actively participated in local and state politics. With a deep commitment to the welfare of his town, Hopkins tirelessly worked to advance its social, moral, and material progress. Beyond his professional pursuits, he was actively involved in the Pythian Order and cherished family life with his wife, Encie Plank, and their four children.
HOLLACE LINCOLN HOPKINS has been very closely identified with the business and political history of South Dakota, and his activity has made him perhaps as well known throughout the state as any other man. Hollace Hopkins, manager of the Sioux Valley Land Company, of Henry, was born in Olmsted County, Minnesota, January 3, 1864, and is the son of George E. and Caroline (Cudney) Hopkins, natives of Ontario, and pioneers of Minnesota and of South Dakota, coming to the territory in 1878. George E. Hopkins was a prosperous farmer and represented his county in the state legislature. He settled in Deuel County, where Hollace received the greater part of his education, in the public schools and in the agricultural college at Brookings. He manifested a preference for journalism, and on quitting college he carried out a desire of long standing and established in May, 1888, at Henry, The Independent. Mr. Hopkins continued to publish and manage it until January 1, 1900, since when he has devoted his attention largely to the Sioux Valley Land Company. Mr. Hopkins became an influential force in local and state politics, and his paper not only achieved a wide reputation but attained a wide circulation.
Mr. Hopkins was the leading spirit in the organization of the land company and as secretary and general manager has greatly enlarged the scope of its operations. During President Harrison’s administration, he was postmaster at Henry and was re-appointed by President McKinley. Mr. Hopkins was influential in the Republican Party, and has been a delegate to nearly every county, district, and state convention in the last twelve years, and he served as secretary of the state conventions held at Yankton and Madison. He manifests a pardonable pride in the welfare of the town and has used his endeavors to promote its advancement along social, moral, and material lines.
Mr. Hopkins held an important clerical position in the House of Representatives in 1893, and in 1895, he was chief clerk of the same. Fraternally, Mr. Hopkins is a member of the Pythian Order and has passed all the chairs of the local lodge, besides representing it in the grand lodge. Personally, he is companionable and agreeable.
Mr. Hopkins, on the 2nd day of July 1889, was united in marriage with Miss Encie Plank, a native of the same county as himself, and a schoolmate. She is the daughter of Joseph and Diantha (Schermerhorn) Plank, of Olmsted County, Minnesota, and has borne her husband four children, Glenn H., Leah, Gail, and Carrie P.