My Genealogy Hound

George D. Hamilton, one of the leading citizens of South Lyon, Lyon township, Oakland County, who is engaged in the jewelry business, was born in 1851 in Brighton township, Livingston County, Michigan. He is a son of John W. and Mary Ann (Leary) Hamilton, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in England.

John W. Hamilton went from his native State to Chemung County, New York, and thence to Michigan, locating about 1845 in Brighton township, Livingston County, where he purchased a farm. There he met and in 1849 married Mary Ann Leary, who was a daughter of James Leary of that neighborhood. Our subject is the eldest surviving member of their children, who are as follows: George D., our subject; Sarah, who married William Sutherland, — they live in South Lyon and have two children, Lulu and Frank; Charles, who lives on the old homestead, was married to Elizabeth Quance, and has three children; Arthur, who is a farmer of Milford township, Oakland County, was married to Hattie Harwood, and has two children, William and Louis; Ada, who married John Dow, a farmer of Brighton township, Livingston County, and has four children; Elizabeth, who married George Sinock, a farmer of Lyon township, Oakland County, and has two children; Olive, who married Fred Sturdevant, and lives on the base line of Lyon township, Oakland County; and Frank, who learned the jewelry business with our subject, and is located at Stockbridge, — he married Agnes Clark.

George D. Hamilton was primarily educated in Brighton township, Livingston County, later attended school at Kensington and completed his school career in Milford township. Being then ready to learn a trade, he selected that of carpenter, and served an apprenticeship to the same of three years and then entered upon building and contracting. During his leisure moments he had been learning the jewelry business and later became so interested in it that he decided to devote himself to that business. Consequently in 1883 he opened his present store in South Lyon, where he has ever since been located and has continued to prosper from the first. He carries a large stock of attractive and reliable goods and enjoys the confidence of the citizens.

In 1880 Mr. Hamilton was married to Emma Herald, who is a daughter of the late Emmett and Angeline (Campbell) Herald, the former of whom was a farmer of Livingston County, Michigan, but died in Lyon township, Oakland County, in 1901. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Herald, namely: Sarah Ann, who married Moses Shaw, a contractor and builder of Linesville, Pennsylvania, and has four children, — George, Frank, Fred and Clifford; Albert, deceased; Frank, who resides in Oakland, California, and he has one son, George; Willard, a farmer of Green Oak township, Livingston County, who was married first to Martha Beach and had one son, Ray, and married, second, Mary Forsche, and has two children, — Frank, deceased, and Homer; and twins, Ella and Emma, the former of whom is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been born two children: Beryl, who died in infancy; and Beulah Angy, who was born July 17, 1897.

In politics Mr. Hamilton has always supported the Democratic party, but has taken no very active part in political life. He is a valued member of the Masonic bodies, blue lodge, chapter and commandery — belongs also to the Order of Eastern Star and is an Odd Fellow and a Maccabee. He is one of the intelligent and enterprising business men of South Lyon and has won an enviable reputation as a business man of integrity and as one who is always ready to endorse measures that promise to be of permanent benefit to the village.