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. 






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu