From “Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County” (1892)
A. S. Toppin, contractor and builder, is one of the progressive and energetic businessmen of Dallas. He has been a resident of Texas since June, 1883, when located at Greenville, Hunt county; here he was very prominently identified with the building interest for a period of three years, coming in June, 1886, to Dallas.
The first year of his residence here he did contract work, but afterward was employed as a journeyman until the last part of the year 1888. He again took up contracting, his first shop being located on Main Street between Pearl and Preston. His rapidly increasing business necessitated larger quarters; so he removed to 132 North Pearl Street, where his shops are now located.
Among the many buildings he has erected in Dallas may be mentioned the residences of Judge Davis, Judge Charlton, Judge Morrison and Dr. Williams, at Oak Cliff, and many others in the city of Dallas, including the Dallas Lithographing building. The great building boom of Dallas was a busy time to Mr. Toppin; during that time he employed fifty men, exhibiting a fine executive ability and extraordinary business qualifications.
The subject of this sketch was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, April 12, 1860, and is the third of a family of six children. His parents were William H. and Regina Dilinger Toppin; the father was a native of Virginia and of English extraction; he was a carpenter by trade, and followed the calling through life. Both the father and mother were consistent members of the Lutheran Church; the mother passed from the scenes of this life in 1870 in her forty-first year, and the father survived her in Dennison, Texas, until the fall of 1888, when he died at the age of fifty-nine years.
In his youth, our subject, was apprenticed to learn the carpenter’s trade, and with the exception of three years has followed this occupation since early manhood. In 1870 he removed with his parents from Virginia to Middletown, Indiana and at that place gained his early education. His advantages in this direction, however, were very limited, and eighteen months cover the period he was in school.
In 1883 he was swept by the tide of emigration to the great and growing State of Texas. He was united in marriage November 3, 1877, to Miss Mary Wimmer, and of this union two children have been born; the elder is Leota N. and the younger, Elizabeth E. September 5, 1882, the mother died, and it was after this sad event that Mr. Toppin decided to remove to Texas. He was married a second time, December 23, 1887, to Mrs. Emma C. Fisk Crook, and one child has been born to them; Lena, whose birthday was November 3, 1888.
Mr. Toppin is a member of Dallas Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F. and of Queen City Lodge, No. 941, Knights of Honor. He is a man of social and genial disposition, is well known for his correct business methods, and firm in his conviction of right and wrong. He has won an enviable position in Dallas County, and ranks among the most honored citizens.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company, “Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas,” 1892; Chicago, Illinois. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth20932/), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; with further credit to Dallas Public Library.
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