My Genealogy Hound

HAMILTON CLAYTON, proprietor of the hotel at Branchtown, in the Twenty-second ward of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a representative of one of the oldest, best known and most prominent families in Montgomery county. He was born in Moreland township, in the lower section of Montgomery county, and adjacent to the rural portion of Philadelphia, September 14, 1832, a son of Ezekial and Ann (Snyder) Clayton.

Ezekial Clayton (father) was a native of Moreland township, Montgomery county, and his entire life was spent in that vicinity. He was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, from which he derived a lucrative income. He married Ann Snyder, daughter of Christian and Sarah (Bennett) Snyder, the former named having been elected to the position of sheriff of Montgomery county in 1825, and served in that capacity for three years. Ten children were the issue of this marriage, the majority of whom attained years of manhood and womanhood, married, and reared families. The surviving members of the family are: Hamilton, mentioned at length hereinafter; and Jonathan Clayton.

Hamilton Clayton resided in his native township until he was about thirty years of age, assisting his father on the farm in his boyhood days, and attending the schools of the neighborhood, in which he succeeded in obtaining a fair education. Not being desirous of making farming his life work, he served an apprenticeship at the trade of harness making, and after thoroughly mastering the details of this line of industry he followed it successfully for a number of years. Later he engaged in the business of stage driving, which prior to the introduction of steam railroads was an occupation of some importance and a lucrative means of livelihood. For almost half a century, however, he has been the proprietor of, the Branchtown Hotel, located on the Old York road, and dating back considerably more than a century. He is of a genial and cheerful disposition, attentive and considerate to the wants and wishes of his patrons, and therefore enjoys the distinction of being the most popular and obliging host in the section of the city in which he resides. He is also a reliable and public-spirited citizen, promoting the interests of his city, state, and nation to the best of his ability.

Hamilton Clayton was married May 30, 1860, to Margaret Shelmire, who was born January 3, 1843, a daughter of George F. and Sarah H. (Clayton) Shelmire, both of whom were natives of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: 1. Eleanor, born August 21, 1861, became the wife of George Childs Homiller; 2. Josephine B., born October 9, 1864, became the wife of Walter B. Nimmo; 3. Emma, born December 31, 1865; 4. Montgomery B., born December 27, 1867, died September 24, 1883; 5. Jennie, born March 8, 1869.