HAMILTON, Wilson M. - 1914

HAMILTON, LINN, CROSWELL, BUTLER

Posted By: Colette Miles (email)
Date: 6/26/2009 at 18:00:01

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914

WILSON M. HAMILTON.

Wilson M. Hamilton is head of the firm of W. M. Hamilton & Son, printers and publishers of the Marcus News, and he is one of the best known journalists in this part of Iowa, having been connected with the profession since 1888. He was born in Laporte county, Indiana, March 24, 1850, and is a son of David S. and Hannah (Linn) Hamilton, natives of Ohio. The father went to Indiana at an early age and farmed in that state until 1854, when he moved to Greene county, Iowa, and purchased land. He operated this for a number of years and served also during that time as postmaster, the postomce, which was called North- field, being located upon his property. He also engaged in mercantile pursuits and held a number of other public positions of trust and responsibility. He died in November, 1882, and was survived by his wife until 1906.

Wilson M. Hamilton was reared upon his fathers farm and acquired his education in the country schools and in the public schools of Jefferson, Iowa. At the age of.fifteen he began carrying mail from Jefferson to Sac City, a distance of fifty miles, and he also operated a stage line between those two points, the fare being five dollars. When he had completed his education he taught for twenty terms in Greene, Carroll, Guthrie and Crawford counties, and at the end of that time became connected with journalism, established a weekly paper, called The Lake View Resort, at Lake View, in 1888. He conducted this enterprise for twenty years thereafter and became known as a progressive and able newspaper man. A few months after he sold the paper at Lake View he came to Marcus and purchased The News, a weekly journal now in the thirty- second year of its existence. Mr. Hamilton conducted it alone for some years and then became associated with his son under the firm name of W. M. Hamilton & Son. The paper is one of the most important in the county and its circulation of eleven hundred copies makes it a valuable news and advertising medium. Mr. Hamilton is largely responsible for its success, for he has directed its policies for years and through his able management has made it important as a director of public thought and opinion. The firm owns its own plant, a modern twostory building located at the corner of Main and Pine streets.

On the 4th of September, 1882, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Ella A. Croswell, a daughter of Thomas H. and Mary J. (Butler) Croswell, natives of New York. The parents moved to Crawford county, Iowa, and the father purchased land there, engaging in agricultural pursuits for twenty years thereafter. He then moved to Minnesota and bought land in Rock county which he developed until he retired from active life. He is now making his home in Garden City, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have become the parents of five children. Frank C., aged twentyseven, is junior member of the firm of W. M. Hamilton & Son. May W., aged twenty-five, is local editor of the Reflex at Rodundo Beach, California. Floyd H., aged twenty two, is foreman of the printing shop of W. M. Hamilton & Son. In January, 1912, he was appointed justice of the peace and notary for this township and it is claimed that he is the youngest man to hold these offices in the state of Iowa. The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are: Ruth A., aged nineteen; and Fayette L., aged thirteen.

Mr. Hamilton is a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias at Lake View. He belongs to the Congregational church and is a republican in his political views. He served as postmaster of Lake View under President Harrison for four years and has always been interested and active in public affairs. With the leverage of his paper he has for many years made the weight of his influence felt on many phases of community development and has won for himself the respect and confidence of all who are associated with him.