Bergen County NJ Archives Biographies.....Abraham, Henry A. And John Ward HOPPER 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 5:04 pm

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

HOPPER, Abraham, Henry A. and John Ward,
Skillful and Eminent Physicians.

  Very seldom is the biographer permitted to sketch the salient features in the
life histories of three men linked as these were in ties of relationship, of
professional service, and of public approbation, and the fragrance of whose
lives survives like that of perfume when the earthen vases that held the
treasures have been broken by the hand of the Angel of Death.

  Of Dutch ancestors, located in Bergen county, New Jersey, and New Amsterdam,
New York, as early as 1653, the Hopper family in each generation boasts of men
of eminence in public life, at the bar, on the bench, in the medical profession,
in business, and in social life. The medical profession has perhaps attracted
them, more than any other, this record dealing with three generations who have
added to the sum of human happiness through their skill and learning, Dr.
Abraham Hopper, born in 1797; his son, Dr. Henry A. Hopper, born in 1824; and
his grandson. Dr. John Ward Hopper, born in 1856, all graduates of the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, all eminent in their common
profession, and all located in Hackensack, New Jersey, where for many years Dr.
Abraham and Dr. Henry A. Hopper were contemporaries. Their practice was general
and in the early days extended over a wide territory. All were skilled in
surgery as well as in medicine, the youngest, Dr. John- W. Hopper, being
especially devoted to that branch of his profession; he gave to it careful
preparation, it being his expressed intention, after spending a few years in
general practice, to devote himself entirely to surgical work. But this was not
to be, for after three years of practice death ended his most promising earthly
career.

  Dr. Abraham Hopper was born at Hohokus, Bergen county, New Jersey, April 26,
1797, died at Hackensack, in the county of his birth, December 14, 1872, aged
nearly seventy-six years. His early life was spent at the paternal farm and his
early education was secured in local schools. He completed his academic study in
New York City, then returned home and in due course of time began the study of
medicine under the guidance of Dr. John Rosencrantz, of Hohokus. He studied
under that competent authority for one year, then entered the office of Dr.
Valentine Mott, of New York City, studying under him and attending lectures at
the College of Physicians and Surgeons until graduated Doctor of Medicine in
1818 at the age of twenty-one years. The following year he located in the then
small village of Hackensack and there practiced his profession with but little
interruption until his death, a period of fifty-three years, giving to his
native county his best, and indeed the whole, energy of an active and laborious
professional life. The country surrounding Hackensack was sparsely settled and
the town itself was small. Under such circumstances his large practice involved
much driving and his life was one of "spending and being spent" in the relief of
human suffering. He kept himself familiar with current medical literature and
scientific events, and was ever fully abreast of his times. Always an advocate
of progressive science and an earnest supporter of every effort for its
maintenance, it is no surprise to find his name among the six physicians who in
1854 applied for and obtained a charter for organizing the District Medical
Society of Bergen County. Under his leadership, with the other five physicians,
including his son, Dr. Henry A. Hopper, the society was organized in February,
1854, and Dr. Abraham Hopper was elected its first president. At the annual
meeting following he was reelected to preside over the deliberations of the
society and again the following year the honors of the presidential office were
conferred upon him. During the active years of his connection with the society,
he cheerfully contributed to its interest and usefulness by both written
articles and oral discussion. Among his contributions to the literature of the
society are two which were particularly well received, one of them a paper
entitled "The Duties of Medical Men in Their Intercourse with Patients," the
other "Hydrops Uteri." Dr. Hopper continued his active membership in the society
until October, 1871, when, in consideration of the increasing infirmities of his
age, he was, by a unanimous vote of the organization, relieved from the
discharge of his ordinary duties and his name placed upon the roll of honorary
membership. While Dr. Hopper was skilled in all forms of medical practice he was
particularly fond of surgery, and was rated as an operator in that branch of his
profession. He was a man of strict private and professional integrity and won
his way into the very hearts of his people by his direct honesty of purpose, his
sympathy, and his willingness to serve them in their hours of need. He was of
the best type of the old-time country doctor, who, in sickness or health, birth
or death, joy or sorrow, was the friend of all; the depository for all their
sorrows, joys and hopes; whose kindly advice guided the young, warned the middle
aged, and comforted the old. He married Euphemia De Wolf and they had ten
children, several of whom died young. He was an active member of the old Dutch
"Seceder" Church.

  Dr. Henry A. Hopper, son of and for several years contemporary with Dr.
Abraham Hopper, was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, August 8, 1824, and in 1882,
after a useful life of fifty-eight years, passed to a higher and nobler sphere.
He was a lifelong resident of Hackensack, and from the date of his graduation
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons was identified with everything
pertaining to the prosperity of the town in which his life's interests were
centered. He was but twenty-three years of age when he began the practice of
medicine, but he very soon rose to a position of prominence and won a secure
place in the affections of his townsmen. After he completed his classical
studies he began a course of medical training under his honored father, then
entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, whence he was
graduated Doctor of Medicine in the spring of 1847. During the earlier years of
his practice he rode and drove a great deal, answering calls from far and near,
but with the rapid growth of Hackensack the town made larger and larger demands
upon his time, and in his later years his practice was almost exclusively
confined to its limits and suburbs. He possessed rare skill as a surgeon was
particularly sure in diagnosis, and very successful in practice. Upon the same
strong foundation of character and honesty that his father built he erected his
own professional edifice, and with his greater opportunities advanced the family
name and fame, handing down to his son the same high inheritance he received
from his father. Professional honors were accorded him by his brethren of the
district and State, and he was the recognized organizer of the Hackensack Board
of Health, of which he was the honored and efficient president. He was one of
the six physicians who joined in a call for a medical society in Bergen county,
and was chosen secretary of the first meeting. He was president of the District
Medical Society in 1878 and 1881, its secretary in 1879, and was ever active in
its affairs. He was president of the New Jersey State Sanitary Association,
vice-president of the New Jersey State Medical Society, member of the American
Medical Association, and president of the Bergen County Medical Society. He
contributed many papers to all these societies. He built a stately residence on
North Main street and was hearty in his support of every enterprise tending to
the advancement of Hacken-sack's prosperity or to add to the public good. He was
a man of high character, genial and sympathetic, loved by his many friends in
all parts of the State and in New York City, where he was frequently called in
consultation in important cases. As a member and officer of the Second Reformed
Church he was most highly esteemed, and when, at the age of fifty-eight years,
in the full prime of his manhood and professional achievement, he was summoned
by the Great Physician, he was mourned as an honored citizen, a devoted
Christian, a faithful husband, a kind father, and a true friend. He was survived
by his wife, Maria Colfax (Ward) Hopper, a son, Dr. John W. Hopper, and two
daughters, to whom fell the privilege of cherishing his memory and honoring his
name.

  Dr. John Ward Hopper, only son of Dr. Henry A. and Maria Colfax (Ward) Hopper,
and the third and last in this noted family of physicians, was born in
Hackensack, November 7, 1856, and died there June 13, 1890. He was graduated
from the College of the City of New York in 1876, then entered the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine, class of
1879. While a medical student he took a special course in microscopy and
acquired such skill that for some time he made many of the microscopic tests in
Dr. Alonzo Clark's office. He was a diligent, earnest student, giving thorough
attention to every branch of the profession he intended to follow, but was
especially devoted to surgery. After his graduation at the head of his class he
was for eighteen months on the surgical staff of Roosevelt Hospital. He then
received a high honor from Dr. Henry Sands, who asked him to take charge of his
"Quiz" class, that being the first time he had given it to another. He kept the
class during the winter and the following year he spent in Vienna at the
hospitals of Vienna and Prague, working under eminent specialists, Doctors
Virchow, Schroeder and others. Concluding his studies abroad, in 1882 he
returned home, beginning practice in Hackensack, his birthplace, hallowed by
memories of his honored sires. Three years there permitted him, to exercise his
talents and skill for the relief of suffering, then his promising career was cut
short by death. All who knew him held him in the highest esteem and to the
entire community, as well as to the profession in which he had already attained
distinction, his early death came as a severe loss. He was president of the
Bergen County Medical Society and a member of other learned societies; a
communicant of the Second Reformed Church; and a member of Alpha Delta Phi
fraternity. His ideals were lofty, and in his brief life he upheld the best
traditions of a family that for two and a half centuries has been conspicuous in
the history of Bergen county and of the State of New Jersey.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MEMORIAL CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF MARY DEPUE OGDEN

VOLUME III
MEMORIAL HISTORY COMPANY NEWARK,  NEW JERSEY
1917


Photos: 
Abraham http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/bergen/bios/hopper-a.jpg
Henry   http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/bergen/bios/hopper-h.jpg
John    http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/bergen/bios/hopper-j.jpg

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