James Logan Hopper

The following contribution is from Ronnie Elliott Martin.

James Logan Hopper, in 1890, 67 years old, a resident of Lexington, Scott Co., State of Indiana, was enrolled on the 26 day of September, 1864, as a private of Co. H 58th Regt. Indiana Vol. Infantry. He was discharged on 25 June 1865 in Indianapolis." He was taken south and joined said company and regiment at the Chattahoochee River, near Atlanta Ga. He then went with Sherman to Savannah Ga and on the Washington DC, via Goldsboro and Raleigh NC and Richmond VA. He then went to Louisville Ky via Parkersburg Wva and mustered our of service at Louisville Ky and sent to Indianapolis In for discharge.

James Logan Hopper married Mahala J. Burge on October 5, 1848 in Jefferson Co., by Wm Logan, J.P. James Logan Hopper's father was Samuel Hopper, minister at Scaffoldlick Baptist Church (1828) in Blocher, Scott Co., IN. His mother was Elizabeth Hufford, married Jan. 11, 1822 by Thomas Hill, minister.

James had the following children: Elizabeth, Emily, Mary, William, Frances, Josephine, Isaac, Nora and Ida.

There is a cute story in the "History of Scaffoldlick Baptist Church" that says that he was "cited" for planting corn on Sunday. When he was questioned about his behavior, he answered: "No excuse Reverend, except I am a newlywed." He was excluded until he apologized and his repentance accepted. He was then restored to the membership.

Another version says: "Humph! And just think. My father, Samuel Hopper, a licensed preacher here and my mother, Elizabeth and step ma, Charity, had 10 children...and all of them members here except three....and my sister Elizabeth married to old Valentine's son....and because I worked so hard to help out the church, they are excluding me for working on Sunday." In this version, too, he humbly sought forgiveness and repented.

From "History of Scaffold Lick Baptist Church" compiled by Irene Timberlake, about 1978.

Return to: Lexington - A Pioneer Town