JAMES RUFUS JOPLING
Was born in Bedford county, Virginia, on November 19, 1845. He is
descended from families early settled in Virginia, the son of William W.
Jopling, born October 27, 1815, still living, son of James Jopling,
whose parents came to Virginia from England in colonial days. In
1841 William W. Jopling married Julia Ann, the daughter of Rufus
Thomas, whose parents came to Virginia from Scotland. She was born
in 1821, and died August 3, 1856. The subject of this sketch was
raised on his father's estate, where he was born, north of Liberty, Bedford
county, and educated in the country schools of the neighborhood.
On November 10, 1863, nine days before attaining his eighteenth birthday,
he entered the Confederate States Army, joining Capt. R. B. Claytor's
company, B, 10th Battalion artillery, then stationed on Marion
Hill, at Battery No. 2, Richmond defences. During the winter of 1863-4
the command saw no active service in the field, but was detailed to
guard Federal prisoners at Belle Isle, Libby, and Barracks No. 2 in
Richmond. The next spring was assigned to the ordnance department
of the battalion, and so served till the close of the war.
After the war Mr. Jopling remained on the home farm until November
1, 1866, when he was appointed deputy sheriff under Col. John G.
Casey, sheriff of Bedford county, in which capacity he served until
September, 1868, when he resigned, and entered the wholesale and
retail hardware house of Jones, Watts & Co., Lynchburg. He remained
clerking for them until June, 1871, when a copartnership was formed
with them under the style of Jones, Watts & Jopling, opening a hardware
house at Salem, Virginia, Mr. Jopling managing partner. During
his residence in Salem, Mr. Jopling served one term in the city council.
In September, 1874, he moved to Danville, where he has since resided.
In October, 1879, he bought out the interest of Messrs. Jones, Watts
& Co., and has since continued the wholesale and retail hardware business
in his own name. He is vice-president of the largest bank in Danville,
the Merchants, is trustee and steward in the Mount Vernon M. E.
Church of Danville, the present church edifice largely the result of his
contributions and individual efforts, is a director in the Danville
Methodist College, is a director in the Danville Street Car Company,
with which he has been connected from its incorporation.
On October 4, 1871, in Lynchburg, Rev. W. E. Edwards officiating,
he married Mollie, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Phelps of Lynchburg.
Mrs. Jopling was born in Nelson county, Virginia, on November
24, 1849. Her father died in Lynchburg, where her mother still resides.
Mr. and Mrs. Jopling have one daughter, Mary Julia.
