Franklin HOPKINS
FRANKLIN HOPKINS, one of the earliest pioneers of Lake Superior and an early mining agent, was born in Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y., November 29, 1817. He moved to Lower Michigan in 1836, learned the carpenter's trade, and came to Lake Superior in 1845. He located at the North American Mine, Keweenaw County, as mining carpenter; remained with that company two years. Then went below to Lower Michigan. In 1848, he was appointed carpenter to the Methodist Indian Mission at L'Anse. He made the trip to L'Anse on foot, and entered upon the discharge of his duties; the position not proving to his liking, he only served fifteen months; he then returned to the copper region, and engaged as surface foreman of the old Northwest Mine, now the Conglomerate, and continued at that mine for six years. Next served as agent of the Central Mine two years. He then served two years as agent of the Isle Royale Mine at Houghton. He has also had charge of the Pontiac Mine a short time. He then kept the Phoenix House at Eagle River two years during the liveliest business times of Eagle River. During that time, he lost his wife and one child on the wrecked steamer Lady Elgin, September 8, 1860. He then moved to Eagle Harbor, and has since been connected with the dock and warehouse business.