Biographical Sketch of

James Hamilton

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 639


James Hamilton, deceased, was one of the well-known early settlers of the town of Westfield, Marquette 
County, and when called from this earth his loss was deeply felt.  He was born in County Down, near 
Belfast, Ireland, in 1796, and passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country, where 
he married Jane Bennett, a daughter of Samuel Bennett, and a sister of John Bennett, a leading farmer 
of the town of Westfield, who is represented elsewhere in this sketch.  They began their domestic life 
in their native land and continued to reside in that country for many years, but in 1852 they resolved 
to seek a home across the water and sailed for America.  They spent a few months in Canada, and then 
came to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Westfield, Marquette County, where Mr. Hamilton devoted 
himself to farming and made a comfortable home for his family.  Upon the farm which he located he 
resided until his death, which occurred Sept. 30, 1877, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years.  
His wife, who was born April 15, 1812, is still living, and resides with her youngest son, Hugh, 
on the old homestead.  She enjoys good health for one of her years, and may survive for some time 
to come.
 
James Hamilton was one of the well-known and highly respected citizens of Marquette County.  He 
possessed much of that sturdiness of character which is the natural inheritance of the Scotch-Irish 
people, and by his manliness and upright life made many friends.  He was, however, rather retiring 
in disposition and conservative in his views, but he was just to all and strove to do well the part 
in life assigned him.  He was a loyal citizen, but retained to the last a deep love for his native 
land and never omitted to speak in its praise.  He was well informed on the history of that country, 
and was also well versed on the leading American issues.  He possessed a remarkably strong constitution, 
and enjoyed excellent health until within a short time of his death.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were born eight children, seven of whom are living:  Thomas; Sarah Jane, wife 
of Samuel Russell; Mary, wife of Frank Russell; James and William, who are residents of the town of 
Westfield; and John, who is associated with his younger brother, Hugh, in the hardware business in the 
village of Westfield.  All are comfortably situated in life, and have homes of their own in the town of 
Westfield.  Samuel, the only member of the family now deceased, was killed by being thrown from a horse.  
That sad event occurred Aug. 25, 1859, when he was twenty-two years of age.  He was a worthy and estimable 
young man, and his sudden death was a terrible shock to his family and friends.  All of the children were 
born in Ireland with the exception of Hugh, who was born after the arrival of the family in America, Jan. 
23, 1854.  He still resides on the old homestead and cares for his mother in her declining years.  He 
married Miss Etta Russell, daughter of Hance Russell, and they have two children, Robert and Edith.  
 
The Hamilton family is one of the representative families of Marquette County, and has been prominently 
identified with the agricultural interests of the community since 1852.






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