Businessman and Philanthropist. Born Timothy Nolan, his father drowned in California when Timothy was only three years old. His widowed mother found work in Sacramento and was neighbor to one of California's Big Four, Mark Hopkins. Mark and his wife Mary soon fell in love with Timothy and in 1879, one year after Mark Hopkins' death, Mary formally adopted him. Soon after, Timothy went into the railroad industry and by 1883, he became treasurer of the Central Pacific Railroad. In 1885, Hopkins was appointed as a trustee of the new Stanford University, a post he would hold until his death. In 1887, Hopkins purchased some land nearby the university and established a town which he first called University Park, but was later renamed Palo Alto in 1892.
Businessman and Philanthropist. Born Timothy Nolan, his father drowned in California when Timothy was only three years old. His widowed mother found work in Sacramento and was neighbor to one of California's Big Four, Mark Hopkins. Mark and his wife Mary soon fell in love with Timothy and in 1879, one year after Mark Hopkins' death, Mary formally adopted him. Soon after, Timothy went into the railroad industry and by 1883, he became treasurer of the Central Pacific Railroad. In 1885, Hopkins was appointed as a trustee of the new Stanford University, a post he would hold until his death. In 1887, Hopkins purchased some land nearby the university and established a town which he first called University Park, but was later renamed Palo Alto in 1892.
Gravesite Details
Timothy was cremated, and his ashes rest in the tomb.
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