Treading now on the verge of the limit of human life as fixed by the Psalmist, William Hopley, of Grove township, is one of the oldest citizens of the county and one of the few pioneers who still live to tell of the thrilling adventures and wearing hardships of the earlier days. What the country, which is smiling now with all the blandishments of cultivated life, was in his young manhood, he is well able to tell, for he saw it in its primitive solitude and wildness; and what it is now he has helped to make it, and is therefore fully entitled to the enjoyment of the benefits of that advancement which he, has so faithfully furthered.

William Hopley was born in England on December 1, 1836, and is a son of Thomas and Frances (Arrowsrnith) Hopley, also natives of that country. (For further particulars of their lives see the sketch of his brother, Peter Hopley, in another part of this volume.) The family comprised five sons and two daughters, and three of the sons and two of the daughters are living, two of the sons residing in this county. William Hopley remained in his native land until he reached the age of seventeen, and there received a limited education which he improved after coming to this country. In 1853 he ran away from home and made his way to New York, having saved a small sum of money from wages he had earned with which he paid his passage. His baggage was all tied up in a red handkerchief, and the custom house officials did not give him any trouble in examining it. On the passage over the Atlantic he was accompanied by his older brother John, but as John's resources were also very limited the young emigrant was thrown on his own, when he landed. But he had courage, self-reliance and some knowledge of the trade of a machinist, and he soon found employment in a shop in Jersey City, where he remained four years. At the end of that period he returned to England, and on his return trip brought to the United States his brother Peter and a sister. He then joined his parents in Iowa county, this State, and the following year the entire family moved to Cass County. The father and sons together rented a farm and engaged in the dairy business, which they followed until 1865, winning success in the venture and laying up their profits for a more ambitious undertaking.

In 1865 William Hopley purchased his present farm of 120 acres in Grove township, the land being partially improved. He has added to the original tract by subsequent purchases until he now owns 700 acres, all under cultivation and brought to a high state of improvement. He is largely engaged in raising horses, cattle and hogs for market, and has been very successful in the business, having several years ago introduced a high grade of Clydesdale and other thoroughbred horses, and good strains of cattle and hogs. He is one of the most widely known and extensive stock men in the county, and the products of his stables are sought from all parts of the country.

In February 1864, Mr. Hopley was married to Mary Okell, a daughter of Peter Okell of Lewis, one of the venerated pioneers of the State. They have had eight children, five of whom are living – Jennie; Sophia, wife of Dr. Campbell; Blanche, Mrs. Roberts, of Ripley, Iowa; Thomas and Frank. In political affiliation Mr. Hopley has always been an active Republican. He has served as a school director and as township treasurer for many years, and been elected to other township offices, from time to time. Fraternally he is a Freemason, belonging to the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine.