#2        LOWELL HOPPES, CARTOONIST

            Prior to Mark Hoppus’ recent successes, the honor of being the most famous Hoppes belonged to Lowell Hoppes, son of 2411231 Wilson W. Hoppes and Forrest R. (Birdie) Stamp Hoppes, who in turn was the son of 241123 Henry Ellard and Ella (Reese) Hoppes of Stark County, OH. During the 1960’s to 1980’s, Lowell’s cartoons appeared in prestigious periodicals such as Parade Magazine, Highlights for Children, and the church publication three four, where they brought wholesome humor to millions of Americans. 

            When I first encountered Lowell’s cartoons in the 1960’s, I naturally wondered who the Hoppes was who displayed such a genius for capturing so many humorous aspects of family life in mid-America.  Not until Robert R. Hoppes of Hellertown, PA sent me his pamphlet Whence the Hoppes Family of Berks County, PA dated 1974 did I learn the identity of the individual who simply signed his comic masterpieces Hoppes or L. Hoppes.  Robert’s compilation of information about his line indicated that Lowell Hoppes was the son of Wilson W. Hoppes of 859 W. State Street, Alliance, OH and that Lowell had sent him some biographical data, which Robert shared by stating:

When Lowell Hoppes learned his cartoons had been chosen by Eddie Cantor, he said: “I’ve been laughing at Eddie’s gags for years.  I’m glad he’s now laughing at mine.”  Hoppes, 44, was born in Alliance, Ohio.

            Lowell’s grandson, Keith Hoppes, is a member of the Hoppes Generations group. I learned through e-mails from him in 2000 that he believes he was the young boy who frequently was the subject of his grandfather’s cartoons. Keith also indicated that his grandfather is retired but leading an active life in Sarasota, FL and that he visits him on occasion.

               An article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune dated January 13, 1998, reported that: a veteran area cartoonist, Lowell Hoppes, says he was puzzled by a recent published quote from a fellow senior: “I spend a lot of time cruising the net.”  Not owning a computer himself, Lowell is one of us techno-deprived folks to whom “online”  stirs only memories of having a swain hang up the phone on us.  Another Sarasota Herald Tribune article from October 27, 1998, begins by asserting: Lowell Hoppes feels it may be best not to name the cronies who took part in a group trip to Vegas, since there may be need for peace negotiations. But the actively retired Sarasota cartoonist thinks there may be a moral to the trip. Additional details are available through Northern Light's Special Collection.     

               According to Keith Hoppes, his grandfather Lowell’s cartoons have never been assembled into a collection and published.  To me, this is a real loss because they depict remarkable insights into family life and the myriad of cultural changes that affected it. Several of Lowell’s cartoons that I’ve clipped out of Parade, Highlights for Children, and three four are reproduced below.

Harry's Corner
Hall of Fame Introduction
Hall of Fame # 1 - Mark Hoppus
Hall of Fame # 3 - Dr. Dale D. Hoppes
Hall of Fame # 4 - Walter (Doc) Hoppas
Hall of Fame # 5 - John J. Hoppes
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