GEORGE LIONEL HOPKINS.
George Lionel Hopkins became a resident of Saskatchewan in 1906,
when he came out from London, England, where he was born and reared,
to take up a homestead some sixty miles from the nearest railroad. The
prospect of living so far removed from the outposts of civilization must
have been dismaying at times to the young man accustomed to the life
and habits of a city dweller, but he was a true Englishman and composed
of that material from which real colonists are made. So he set about
improving his land and fulfilling the requirements placed upon the home-
steader by the government, that so generously gives him his opportunity
to become a landowner. At the end of three years he had accomplished
hs purpose and was ready to return to city life. The place he selected
for his permanent residence was Regina and he has made this city his
home ever since.
George Lionel Hopkins was born on the 13th of April, 1874, the son
of George and Sarah Fanny (Fairall) Hopkins. His father, a native of
London, was a superintendent in the London postal service department
ill of his mature life and died in that city long ago. The mother's birth-
place was the Isle of Wight, and at Ryde, on that island, her marriage
was solemnized. Following the death of her husband she came to Win-
nipeg in 1906, and now makes her home in Anerley, Saskatchewan. The
Hopkins family was actively identified with the Church of England and
the father was an officer in his parish.
George Lionel Hopkins was the fourth of a family of seven children.
As a boy he was sent to the City of Westminster school and later attend-
ed King's College, London. When he had finished his education he en-
tered the British civil service, working in London until he resigned his
position to come to Canada. Seventeen years ago this young Londoner
arrived in Saskatchewan to live on his homestead, Which, as has been
already pointed out, was an appalling distance from a railroad, but he lived
there for three years. In 1909 he came to Regina, where he entered the
provincial auditor's department, taking up a line of work for which he
was eminently qualified by his previous experience in London. In 1912
he accepted the position of acting auditor and a year later he became
provincial auditor for Saskatchewan, an office he has been filling suc-
cessfully for ten years.
In 1922 Mr. Hopkins was married to Miss Winifred Copley, daugh-
ter of John and Jennie Copley of this city, the father being connected
with the Regina postal service. Mrs. Hopkins was born in Ireland. She
and her husband are members of the Anglican church and sing in the
church choir. Mr. Hopkins, especially, is possessed of a fine voice and
takes a very prominent part in the musical life of the city. He is presi-
dent of the Queen City Classic Male Voice Choir and in addition to his
choir and church work sings frequently in the interests of charitable
organizations. A thirty-second degree Mason, he is past master of the
blue lodge, and past grand senior deacon in the Grand Lodge. As an
"all-around" athlete and sportsman, Mr. Hopkins possesses an enviable
record and one that bespeaks an unusual amount of skill in that line.
He and his brother hold the one-hundred-mile tandem record in Eng-
land. He excelled in cross - country running and was formerly cross
country captain of the Blackheath Harriers, one of the famous clubs of
the old country. He played cricket and field hockey and was as much at
ease in and on the water as in the field sports, rowing and swimming
well. During the vogue for cycling he indulged in this excellent sport,
which was certainly at its best in the rural districts of England. A col-
lection of medals, cups and other prizes won in various contests serve
to recall to Mr. Hopkins' memory many happy occasions of his youth and
early manhood in the land across the sea. That his years in Canada
have been well spent is evidenced by the large circle of friends and ac-
quaintances he has made since coming to this city.
Bibliography follows:
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