Biography of James M. and William E. Hamilton, pages 1001/1002/1003.  
History of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



James M. and William E. Hamilton



	It is well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of 
legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and 
perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon.  She is 
never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the 
loafer, only the men who have diligently sought her favor being crowned 
with her blessings.  In tracing the history of the gentlemen whose 
names form the caption of this review, it is plainly seen that the 
success which they enjoy has been won by commendable qualities and it 
is also their personal worth that has gained for them the high esteem 
of those who know them.  William E. and James M. Hamilton are the sons 
of Jonathan and Hannah B. (Platter) Hamilton, the former of whom was 
born in New York City. Eventually he located in Pennsylvania where he 
was reared to the life of a farmer.  He remained in Pennsylvania until 
about eight years of age, when he went to Defiance, Ohio, and from 
there came to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he made his permanent 
settlement. He was prominent among the early pioneers of this section 
and took an active part in the development and progress that 
characterized this locality in those early days.  He built and operated 
the old Hamilton mill in 1838, one of the landmarks of this locality 
for many years, and at the same time successfully operate his farm.  He 
was a man of forceful character an sturdy integrity, who impressed his 
personality on the community where he spent as many of his active years 
and he was a leader in many of he important events which concerned the 
history of his county. To him and his wife were born nine children, 
namely: John R., Agnes and Catherine are all deceased; William E. and 
James M., the immediate subjects of this sketch; Elizabeth and Emmaline 
are deceased; Mary E. and John G.

	William E. Hamilton was born on August 4, 1829, and early in 
life, under his father’s direction, he learned the trade of a miller, 
which he followed during practically his entire active life.  He was 
for a while in the West, being located in Idaho, where he established a 
mill and to him belongs the distinction of having ground the first 
bushel of wheat milled in that state, that being many years ago when it 
was still a territory.  He retired from active life and is living 
quietly at his comfortable home in Concord township, this county.

	James M. Hamilton was born on October 2, 1831, and was reared to 
the life of a farmer, a vocation from which he never departed and in 
which he met with a well deserved success.  He, too, is now retired 
from active business affairs.  Neither of the Hamilton brothers have 
been aspirants for public office, though they have always taken an 
intelligent and active part in public affairs, as every loyal citizen 
should, and they have performed their full part of the duties of 
citizenship, thereby earning the approval and commendation of all who 
know them.

	Politically, William E. Hamilton is an earnest Republican in his 
views, while James M. has given his support to the Progressive party 
since the recent campaign.  Religiously, the former is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and the latter of the United Brethren 
church, to the support of which societies they are liberal 
contributors.  Quiet and unostentatious an seeking the sequestered ways 
of life rather than its tumult and strife, the Hamilton brothers have 
attended strictly to their own affairs and by their upright lives and 
worthy examples have made better all who have come within the range of 
their influence, and today no more deserving or popular citizens reside 
in Concord township then they.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com