My Genealogy Hound

William Henry Harrison Hamilton, who has put aside the more active cares of the farm to live retired in Creston, but for many years was closely associated with agricultural interests in the work of tilling the soil and raising stock, is still the owner of four hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land lying in Lincoln township. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Darke county, August 21, 1841, his parents being Francis F. and Katherine (Sompsell) Hamilton. The father was born in Ireland and the mother near Boonesboro, Maryland. Coming to the United States with his parents when about nine years of age, Francis F. Hamilton located in Baltimore, Maryland, where in later years he became a teamster. Removing to Darke county, Ohio, he settled upon a farm, where he spent his remaining days. He was diligent and active in business and met with a fair degree of success in his agricultural pursuits. In his political views he was a democrat and in religious faith leaned toward the Dunkard church. He died in 1855, being long survived by his widow, who passed away in September, 1904, lacking but eleven days of attaining the ninety-second year of her age. She was a member of the United Brethren church and attended one church for over a half century. Her life in its kindly purposes was in harmony with her professions and she was justly regarded as a sincere and earnest Christian woman. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Francis F. Hamilton were nine children: Sarah, deceased; Mary Ellen, the wife of J. L. Morrison, who was formerly a school teacher but is now engaged in the book business in Westerville, Ohio; George W., an agriculturist living near Union City, Indiana; Catherine, the widow of J. M. Wilt, who makes her home in Lenox, Iowa; William H. H., of this review; David N., who enlisted in the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in August, 1862, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness when about twenty years of age; Samuel F., who carries on farming near Eldorado, Ohio; Jasper A., who was formerly a school teacher but is now roadmaster for the electric line in Cincinnati, Ohio; and Otho L., twin of Jasper A., who lives with his sister at Westerville, Ohio.

The pursuits of the farm early became familiar to William H. H. Hamilton in his boyhood days. He attended the country schools through the winter months and in the summer seasons aided in the labors of the farm, after which he began farming on his own account, while later he conducted a sawmill. He was about twenty-one years of age when in response to his country’s need he joined the army, enlisting in August, 1862, as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but after being in camp for about three months he was discharged on account of disability. He then returned home and in 1863 joined the Ohio National Guard, becoming a member of Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment, which was mustered into the United States service. With this command he served for four months in the field and was then mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, after which he returned home and resumed his usual occupation.

On the 26th of February, 1872, Mr. Hamilton arrived in Creston, where he has lived continuously since. Here he was first engaged as an employe of George A. Blackwell in the grain business for a year and next entered the service of Belden & Scott, grain merchants. He afterward served as city marshal for a year and later entered the office of George D. Hendricks, land agent, with whom he continued for a year. He also served as marshal for another year and then joined C. E. Robbins in the conduct of a bottling (soda) factory, the partnership lasting for three years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Hamilton turned his attention to the oil business, buying his goods of the Standard Oil Company but selling as an independent merchant for ten years. On the expiration of that period he sold out to the Standard Oil Company but acted as their agent and traveling salesman for the following decade, introducing the goods for the company over a wide scope of territory in this part of the country. In 1900 he retired from active business pursuits and now employs his time in looking after his farming interests. He owns four hundred and forty acres of improved land in Lincoln township, from which he derives a very gratifying income, for the soil is rich and productive and yields good crops.

On the 29th of October, 1864, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Doyle, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1844. They have become the parents of four children: Thomas G. is agent at Creston for the Standard Oil Company. He is married and has one child. Charles O., who is at home, is connected with the J. H. Merrill Company, wholesale grocers. William H. is timekeeper for the Burlington railroad in the shops at Creston. Edward F. has departed this life.

Mr. Hamilton is a democrat with independent tendencies and has served as a member of the council and as street commissioner. He is interested in all that pertains to local improvement as well as national progress and has cooperated in many measures that have been advanced for the welfare of Creston and the county. As a business man he belonged to that class of representative citizens who while promoting individual success also contribute to the general welfare.