James Frank Hopkins, Alpha number 1, was born in Ripley, Mississippi, December 30th, 1845, to Colonel John W. Hopkins and Elizabeth Craig. Hopkins family remained in Mississippi until Colonel Hopkins moved the family to Memphis in 1855 to provide better educational opportunities for his children. At the outbreak of the Civil War, the family again moved to Arkansaas Post near Little Rock.
The younger Hopkins, thena boy of fifteen was denied immediate enlistment in the Confederate Army due to his age. Finally, in 1864 he was accepted as a private in a cavalry troop attached to Anderson's Battalion of Fagan's Division. He was an expert horseman, and his skill was put to use when he was assigned to courier duty in several battles in the final years of the war.
In 1866, after the end of the war, Hopkins entered VMI in Lexington at the age of 21. 1866 marks the year the fraternity had its spiritual beginning, when Frank Hopkins rebelled against the injustice of hazing being practiced at the Institute. Hopkins is the principal Founder who conceived the idea of a brotherhood of honor, and he served as Lieutenant Commander (VP) of the original Alpha Chapter. He was the designer of the original badge as well.
After graduating from VMI, Hopkins pursued his career as a civil engineer back in Arkansas. He went on to serve as County Surveyor, Justice of the Peace, and Director of Schools. His dedication to the principles of Love, Truth and Honor held steadfast throughout his life as he served the Fraternity as its first Vice-Regent and attended Grand Chapters in 1902, 1908 and 1910.
On December 15, 1913, Alpha number 1 was laid to rest in the village cemetary at Mablevale, Arkansas (a township later absorbed into Little Rock proper.)
The younger Hopkins, thena boy of fifteen was denied immediate enlistment in the Confederate Army due to his age. Finally, in 1864 he was accepted as a private in a cavalry troop attached to Anderson's Battalion of Fagan's Division. He was an expert horseman, and his skill was put to use when he was assigned to courier duty in several battles in the final years of the war.
In 1866, after the end of the war, Hopkins entered VMI in Lexington at the age of 21. 1866 marks the year the fraternity had its spiritual beginning, when Frank Hopkins rebelled against the injustice of hazing being practiced at the Institute. Hopkins is the principal Founder who conceived the idea of a brotherhood of honor, and he served as Lieutenant Commander (VP) of the original Alpha Chapter. He was the designer of the original badge as well.
After graduating from VMI, Hopkins pursued his career as a civil engineer back in Arkansas. He went on to serve as County Surveyor, Justice of the Peace, and Director of Schools. His dedication to the principles of Love, Truth and Honor held steadfast throughout his life as he served the Fraternity as its first Vice-Regent and attended Grand Chapters in 1902, 1908 and 1910.
On December 15, 1913, Alpha number 1 was laid to rest in the village cemetary at Mablevale, Arkansas (a township later absorbed into Little Rock proper.)
James Frank Hopkins, Alpha number 1, was born in Ripley, Mississippi, December 30th, 1845, to Colonel John W. Hopkins and Elizabeth Craig. Hopkins family remained in Mississippi until Colonel Hopkins moved the family to Memphis in 1855 to provide better educational opportunities for his children. At the outbreak of the Civil War, the family again moved to Arkansaas Post near Little Rock.
The younger Hopkins, thena boy of fifteen was denied immediate enlistment in the Confederate Army due to his age. Finally, in 1864 he was accepted as a private in a cavalry troop attached to Anderson's Battalion of Fagan's Division. He was an expert horseman, and his skill was put to use when he was assigned to courier duty in several battles in the final years of the war.
In 1866, after the end of the war, Hopkins entered VMI in Lexington at the age of 21. 1866 marks the year the fraternity had its spiritual beginning, when Frank Hopkins rebelled against the injustice of hazing being practiced at the Institute. Hopkins is the principal Founder who conceived the idea of a brotherhood of honor, and he served as Lieutenant Commander (VP) of the original Alpha Chapter. He was the designer of the original badge as well.
After graduating from VMI, Hopkins pursued his career as a civil engineer back in Arkansas. He went on to serve as County Surveyor, Justice of the Peace, and Director of Schools. His dedication to the principles of Love, Truth and Honor held steadfast throughout his life as he served the Fraternity as its first Vice-Regent and attended Grand Chapters in 1902, 1908 and 1910.
On December 15, 1913, Alpha number 1 was laid to rest in the village cemetary at Mablevale, Arkansas (a township later absorbed into Little Rock proper.)
The younger Hopkins, thena boy of fifteen was denied immediate enlistment in the Confederate Army due to his age. Finally, in 1864 he was accepted as a private in a cavalry troop attached to Anderson's Battalion of Fagan's Division. He was an expert horseman, and his skill was put to use when he was assigned to courier duty in several battles in the final years of the war.
In 1866, after the end of the war, Hopkins entered VMI in Lexington at the age of 21. 1866 marks the year the fraternity had its spiritual beginning, when Frank Hopkins rebelled against the injustice of hazing being practiced at the Institute. Hopkins is the principal Founder who conceived the idea of a brotherhood of honor, and he served as Lieutenant Commander (VP) of the original Alpha Chapter. He was the designer of the original badge as well.
After graduating from VMI, Hopkins pursued his career as a civil engineer back in Arkansas. He went on to serve as County Surveyor, Justice of the Peace, and Director of Schools. His dedication to the principles of Love, Truth and Honor held steadfast throughout his life as he served the Fraternity as its first Vice-Regent and attended Grand Chapters in 1902, 1908 and 1910.
On December 15, 1913, Alpha number 1 was laid to rest in the village cemetary at Mablevale, Arkansas (a township later absorbed into Little Rock proper.)
Inscription
Erected in memory of J. Frank Hopkins, Alpha I; Founder, Sigma Nu Fraternity, Virginia Military Institute, January 1, 1869. On the foundation which he laid has been builded a great Fraternity and principles of justice and brotherly love which he taught have been carried into all the colleges of the land. Erected by Sigma Nu Fraternity, September 15, 1917.
