Hopkins, Harry (1890–1946)

HARRY LLOYD HOPKINS, known as an “ally of the poor and the defender of democracy,” was born in Sioux City, Iowa. The fourth of five children born to David Aldona and Anna Pickett, Hopkins spent his childhood in Nebraska and Chicago, Illinois.

While still in high school, Hopkins demonstrated his political savvy. Opposed to the teachers fixing class elections in favor of the best student, he organized a ballot stuffing. Even though the vote was thrown out, Hopkins kept on electioneering. On the next supervised ballot, his candidate was elected with an even larger vote than the first time. Hence, at Grinnell College, Hopkins earned a reputation for brilliant political tactics and a “restless electric personality.” After graduating from Grinnell College in 1912 he became a ...