Born in Granville, New York, Hopkins attended the common schools as a child and later became a telegraph operator. He moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and then to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1849, and served as a private secretary to Governor Coles Bashford in 1856 and 1857.
Born in Granville, New York, Hopkins received elementary education as a youngster before becoming a telegraph operator. He relocated to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and Madison, Wisconsin, in 1849, serving as private secretary to Governor Coles Bashford from 1856 to 1857.