James Frank Hopkins

James Frank Hopkins (December 30, 1845 – December 15, 1913) was a Confederate Army volunteer and founder of the Sigma Nu fraternity at the Virginia Military Institute.

James Frank Hopkins
Born(1845-12-30)December 30, 1845
Ripley, Mississippi
DiedDecember 15, 1913(1913-12-15) (aged 67)
Resting placeMartin Cemetery
Mabelvale, Arkansas
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Merchant, Real estate[1]
Known forSigma Nu International Fraternity
SpouseJennie Barclay
Military career
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Service/branch Confederate States Army
Years of service1864–1865
Rank Color Sergeant
UnitAnderson's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Civil War

Hopkins was born in Ripley, Mississippi on December 30, 1845.[2] At the outbreak of the Civil War the Hopkins family moved to Arkansas Post near Little Rock. At 15 years old James Frank Hopkins was denied enlistment in the Confederate Army because he was too young.

In 1864 he was accepted as a private in a cavalry troop of Anderson's Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, part of General James F. Fagan's division, and later attained the rank of Color Sergeant.[1] His expert horsemanship was put to use as a courier in several battles in the last year of the war.

Civilian life

Hopkins entered Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1866 at 21 years old.[1] 1866 also marked the year that Hopkins rebelled against the hazing of freshman at VMI. Hopkins was the principal founder of Sigma Nu International Fraternity.[3] He served as the Lieutenant Commander of the original Alpha Chapter, and the designer of the badge.[4]

His involvement with the organization continued through his life, as he served as the first Vice-Regent[4] and attended Grand Chapters in 1902, 1908, and 1910.

Death

On December 15, 1913, several weeks before his 68th birthday, James Frank Hopkins died and was buried in the village cemetery at Mabelvale, Arkansas.[1][2]

See also

Notes
  1. "James Frank Hopkins". Virginia Military Institute. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  2. "James Franklin Hopkins". Arkansas Democrat. December 16, 1913. p. 5. Retrieved April 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Baird, William Raimond (1977). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. G Banta Company. p. 381.
  4. "History". Sigma Nu Fraternity. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
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