1874: Benjamin Hopkins

Benjamin Hopkins, Dereham

Born in Wicklow County, Ireland around 1826, Benjamin Hopkins arrived in Canada in 1843 with his family and eventually settled in Dereham Township where he worked as a farmer. He served as Deputy Reeve for Dereham Township from 1863-1867 and Reeve from 1868-1875 and 1879-1884. In 1874, he was elected Warden for the County. 

He served as Assessor of the Township from 1858-1862. A Conservative, in 1875 he ran for a seat in the Legislature, against Adam Oliver. In addition, he was one of the first in the Township to become interested in the cheese industry and served as the first secretary-treasurer of the Brownsville, North Bayham, Tillsonburg and Culloden factories and also served as a salesman. 

A member of the Methodist Church in Brownsville, he was elected to the General Conference and Missionary Board five times, serving the church, in those positions, for twenty years. He was also class leader and Sunday School Superintendent for thirty years.

He passed away April 1, 1905 at the age of 79. He is buried in the old Delmer Cemetery.