Biography of James M. Hamilton, pages 528 / 529. History of De Kalb County, Indiana. Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885. James M. Hamilton. [By A.H. Bittinger, Esq.]---The subject of this sketch was born near Defiance, Defiance Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1832. He was a son of Gavin W. and Anna b. Hamilton. His parental ancestors were Scotch and his maternal ancestors of German descent. His grandfather, William Hamilton, came from Scotland, arriving in New York in 1796. In the early part of the year 1839 his parents removed to DeKalb County, Ind., and he is there fore one of the old settlers of the county. He received his education in the local schools which did not at that early day furnish the facilities for education for which in after years that section of the county became noted, but he was an apt scholar and acquire a good and substantial education for the time spent in procuring it. He is a farmer from choice, and has owned the farm upon which he now lives for thirty-three years. He is also the sole proprietor of the Orangeville gristmill, situated upon the same site on the St. Joseph River selected by and upon which his father erected a grist and saw mill in 1839, being the pioneer mills of that section of the country. Although domestic in his habits, he never married. In early life he planned tours through his own and foreign countries which he faithfully carried out in his mature years. In 1864 he made a tour of the Southern States with the assistance of the officers of the Union Army, who furnished him with the proper passes through their lines. In the year 1871 he made a tour of the pacific slope, spending fifteen months in Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, California and Utah. In 1876 he journeyed through the Eastern States and to the capital of the United States. In 1878 he took a voyage to Europe, visiting France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, England, Ireland, and the home of his ancestors in Scotland, where he found many of his kindred still occupying the ancestral homes. In 1885 he again made a tour of the Southern States, this time without the restraint of army passes, the principal object of which was the World’s Exposition at New Orleans, La. He has acquired much useful information in his extensive travels. In politics, he is a Republican, his first vote being cast for John C. Fremont for President in 1856, with which party he has ever since voted for National and State officers---he never sought nor held an office. He zealously advocates any cause he espouses, and I positive in his likes and dislikes. He is quick and electrical in his movements, possessed of much strength and vigor, enjoys the comforts of a pleasant home, and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Submitted by: Arlene Goodwin Auburn, Indiana Agoodwin@ctlnet.com