Hopkins, John Edward

John Edward Hopkins was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania in 1842. He enlisted in Company F of the 25th United States Colored Troops for a three year term on January 26, 1864 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Military records list him as five feet and seven inches tall with black eyes and a fair complexion. Hopkins was promoted to sergeant later on August 29, 1864. He served on garrison duty at Fort Pickens as well as Fort Barrancas in Pensacola, Florida. He was mustered out of service on December 6, 1865 in Philadelphia and worked as a restaurant keeper in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He is buried at the Lincoln Cemetery in Gettysburg. (By Brenna McKelvey)