Biographical Sketch of

Thomas Hamilton



Transcribed by Joan Benner 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, Pages 343 - 344 Thomas Hamilton is one of the progressive citizens of Marquette, Wis., and the history of his life is as follows: he was born in Bishops Corner, Granville, Washington Co., New York, on the 8th of March, 1814, and is a son of Levi Hamilton, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1786. He participated in the war of 1812, and took part in the battle of Plattsburg. He married Rachel Dewey, a native of Rutland County, Vermont, and they settled in Granville, New York, where there were born unto them seven children: John A., who became a resident of Clinton County, Michigan, where his death occurred; Sarah, who became the wife of Martin Wheeler, and died at her home in Cattaraugus County, New York; Thomas, our subject; Harvey, of Green Lake County; Mindwell became the wife of Mr. Bullock, of Michigan, where she passed away; William, one of the early settlers of this county, died in 1874; and Betsey E. became the wife of Joseph Eastland, and died in Cattaraugus County, New York. In 1820 Mr. Hamilton removed with his family to Queensbury, Warren County, New York, where the death of his wife occurred in 1829. he then removed to the West and died in Michigan. Both were members of the Congregational church, in which he served as deacon for many years. They made friends wherever they went, and were highly respected people. Our subject acquired his education in the district schools of Queensbury and Glens Falls, and on arriving at man's estate was united in marriage in Warren County, New York, in 1835, with Mary B. Harris, daughter of William B. and Clara (Bates) Harris. They began their domestic life in the county where their marriage was solemnized, but afterward removed to Saratoga County, and subsequently became residents of Troy, New York, where they made their home until 1855, which year witnessed their emigration to the West. They chose Green Lake County as the scene of their future operations, and settled on section 17, in the town of Green Lake, where Mr. Hamilton purchased a partly improved farm. For a number of years he continued to make farming his principal occupation, and on selling out in Green Lake Township, bought land in the town of Mackford, which he continued to cultivate until 1870, when he came to Marquette, where he has since made his home. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, but two died in infancy, and in all possibility, James, the third child, is also dead. He left home when seventeen years of age and shipped on a whaling vessel. He wrote to his parents from Honolulu, but since that letter no word has ever been received; so it is not certainly known whether he is numbered among the living or the dead. They have also adopted three children, upon whom they bestowed all the care and attention of true parents, and have won the lasting gratitude and love of the son and daughters who would probably otherwise have been homeless. The adopted children are Alida C., Frederick and Rettie K. The lives of this worthy couple are filled with acts of kindness, deeds of charity and benevolence which will cause them never to be forgotten while memory lasts. They stand high in the estimation of their fellow citizens and deserve the great respect tendered them. In 1840, as a supporter of the Whig party, Mr. Hamilton cast his vote for William Henry Harrison, and in 1888, as a Republican, he voted for Hon. Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandosn of the Tippecanoe hero.

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages

This site is maintained by Joan and was last updated September 2002

Click here to send Joan an e-mail
Back to the Marquette pages Menu