My Genealogy Hound

HAMILTON S. McMASTER, M. D., a well-known physician and surgeon residing in Dowagiac, has for many years been a prominent figure in the medical circles of western Michigan and is a skillful and influential representative of the Eclectic School of Medicine. A native of New York, he was born in West Sparta, Livingston County, on the 30th of December, 1842, being the son of Robert and Lucy L. (Hamilton) McMaster. Tracing his lineage, we find that he is the grandson of Ebenezer and the great-grandson of Edward McMaster. The ancestor last named emigrated from Dublin, Ireland (his native place), to America when a boy and served throughout the entire period of the Revolutionary War. His four children were Ebenezer, John, Richard and William. The father of Edward McMaster, Richard by name, was a seafaring man, and served on an American privateer in the Revolutionary War, his death occurring at sea.

Ebenezer McMaster, grandfather of our subject, was born in Morristown, N. J., and was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania, where he worked for a number of years in a lumber camp on Pine Creek. He was a pioneer of Livingston County, N. Y., and was identified with its development from the very earliest days of its history. At one time he pounded a rabid wolf with a fence stake, and, as he was a man of powerful physique, he succeeded in overcoming his dangerous foe. When the city of Buffalo was threatened by the British, he and his neighbors started for that place, but met others returning, as the danger was over, and turned back. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Kennedy, became the parents of twelve children, all of whom attained manhood and womanhood, and six are now living. Ebenezer McMaster reached the advanced age of ninety-five, passing away June 15, 1866.

Robert McMaster was the fourth in order of birth in his father’s family, the others being James, Rebecca and Linda (twins), Philemon, Ebenezer and Richard, and five now deceased. He was born in Livingston County, N. Y., in February of 1811, and was reared in his native place. There he married Miss Lucy L. Hamilton, of Spring Water, Livingston County. Her father, Stoddard Hamilton, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Plattsburg, as well as in other memorable engagements. After their marriage the parents of our subject remained in Livingston County until they were parted by the death of the husband and father, which occurred January 15, 1866. He left five children, who are still living. In 1869, accompanied by her family, Mrs. McMaster removed to Shelbyville, Shelby County, Mo., where she remained until her death, November 21, 1882.

Of the parental family we note the following: William A. is a farmer residing in Shelby County, Mo., near the village of Shelbyville; Eugene is engaged as a manufacturer and dealer in real-estate at Quincy, Ill.; Mary E. is the wife of Myron L. Ward, a farmer located near Shelbyville. Mo.; Emerson P. resides at Hazelton, Barton County, Kan.; Albert P., Gilbert C. and Robert Parker died of scarlet fever when children. The father of this family was an honorable and upright man, generous and kind-hearted, and was highly regarded throughout the community.

In Livingston County, N. Y., our subject was reared, and there he laid the foundation of his education in the common schools. Later, he was for two terms a student in the seminary at Danville, N. Y. With his brother William, he enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Infantry. One year later the regiment was changed to cavalry, and was known as the First New York Dragoons. With others of the regiment Mr. McMaster participated in the various engagements of the army, including the cavalry charge at Manassas Junction, and at the expiration of the war was mustered out of service, on the 8th of June, 1865.

Returning to his home in New York, Mr. McMaster resumed his literary studies, which had been so seriously interrupted. In 1867 he came to Michigan and for a time attended the college at Albion, after which he engaged in teaching at Litchfield and Charlotte. In 1868 he commenced the study of medicine, which he continued in 1869-70 at the Cincinnati Eclectic Institute, and subsequently at the Bennett Medical College, at Chicago, graduating from the latter institution in May, 1871. He conducted the practice of his profession for a short time at Battle Creek, Mich., but after three months there came to Dowagiac, in September, 1871, and has since made this place his home, with the exception of eighteen months spent at Grand Rapids.

November 7, 1872, occurred the marriage of Dr. McMaster to Miss Mary F., daughter of Dr. Edward S. Stebbins, who for many years was a prominent citizen of East Liverpool, Ohio. Mrs. McMaster was born at Worcester, Mass., and was there educated, coming to Michigan from the Bay State in 1868. The Doctor and his wife are the parents of three children: Gertrude L., Edward S. and Robert Parker. Edward is attending the Ypsilanti Business College, and the other children are at home. Politically, Dr. McMaster is a Prohibitionist and is Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the Fourth District. In his social connections, he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Honor, having served as Dictator in the last-named organization, and being examining surgeon for both societies. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Dowagiac. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society and was its Secretary from the date of its organization until 1891; he is also identified with the National Eclectic Medical Society. His medical library is one of the best in the county and he is well equipped with instruments of all kinds. His office is in his residence, at No. 7 Division Street, Dowagiac.