Biography of John Hamilton, pages 652 / 653.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

John Hamilton was born in Medina County, Ohio, Nov. 2, 1840, a son of Dr. 
Nathan and Julia Hamilton. In 1842 Dr. Hamilton, with his wife and two 
children, John and George W., came to De Kalb County and located in Concord 
with the intention of making it his home, but his career of usefulness was 
suddenly brought to a close.  May 2, 1843, in company with his brother-in-
law, Lyman Chidsey, he attempted to cross the swollen St. Joseph River in a 
skiff, but their boat was upset and the Doctor was drowned.  The mother soon 
after returned with her children to Ohio, and in 1846 married Eden Hamilton, 
a cousin of the Doctor’s.  He died in 1849, and in 1856 she married William 
Cahow, with whom in 1866 she came to De Kalb County and settled on section 
10, Jackson Township, on the farm now owned and occupied by her son George 
W.  One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cahow, Leonard, now a resident of 
Steuben County.  Mrs. Cahow died Oct. 8, 1877.  John Hamilton made his home 
with his mother till the breaking out of the war of the  Rebellion, when, 
Aug. 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Ohio Infantry.  He was with 
General McClellan in his campaign in West Virginia, and with General Shields 
at Winchester, where, March 23, 1862, he was wounded by a minie ball passing 
through his thighs.  In May he was furloughed from the hospital and July 19, 
1862, was discharged.  In 1864 he was employed in the transportation service 
of the army of the Cumberland, and while there was injured by the dislocation 
of his left shoulder.  Returning home, in 1866 he became identified with the 
interests of De Kalb County.  Sept. 24, 1868, Mr. Hamilton was married to 
Elizabeth Welch, a native of Medina County, Ohio, born Oct. 7, 1844, a 
daughter of Cornelius and Sally Welch.  They had two children---James and 
Mary.  In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton settled on their farm where they now 
reside.  He receives a pension for injuries received while in the service 
of his country.  His father was the first white child born in Medina 
Township, Medina Co., Ohio, and a wealthy man had promised the deed of 
fifty acres to the first male child born in the township, but owing to the 
enhanced value of the land settled by giving fifty cents instead of the 
deed.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com