JOSEPH HAMILTON

HAMILTON, POWERS, BUCK, GARDNER

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 3/29/2002 at 19:08:58

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, February l3, l9l9

The community was greatly shocked and deeply grieved upon hearing of the death of one of the city's most prominent citizens, JOSEPH HAMILTON, which occurred Tuesday morning February 4, l9l9. The death was sudden and unexpected. He had contracted a slight cold which seemed to be improving, but suddenly the tide turned, pneumonia developed and in one short day he was gone. He maintained his faculties until the last, transacting his own business affairs himself. Always a friend to all, people had utmost confidence in his advice and ability.

He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, on February l2, l83l. He was the son of ROBERT and ELEANOR (POWERS) HAMILTON. The father was of German and the mother of Scotch Irish ancestry. They lived and died in Indiana, where JOSEPH grew to manhood. He was the last of eight children, having four brothers and three sisters. He was married to LUCY ANN BUCK, September 22, l853 and they moved to Decatur County, Iowa and settled on a farm near Kingston, now Delray.

At an early age, he united with the Church of Christ, always taking an active interest in all church affairs.

He followed the vocation of farming until forty years of age and then engaged in the mercantile business in connection with farming, moving to Leon in l876. In l888 he retired from active business to enjoy a peaceful home life and has lived at his residence on South Main Street. At the time of his death, MR. HAMILTON was 87 years, ll months and 22 days old. His faithful loving wife preceded him to the better world beyond, by a year and a half. They were the parents of nine children, WM. B., of Telfener, Texas; LENNIUS, MARTHA (GARDNER), JOHN, of Birmingham, Alabama; GEORGE, FANNIE and HARVEY D. Four of these, LENNIUS, GENEVA, FANNIE and HARVEY are gone on before. Besides the remaining children he leaves thirteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and scores of friends. He was a loyal Christian, a true friend, a faithful husband, a loving father, and an exceedingly fond grandfather. The whole community joins in the tribute, "Here was a real gentleman."

The funeral service was conducted at the Leon Church of Christ on Sunday, February 9th at 2:30 p.m., by Rev. Henry Esch, former Pastor of the Church. Interment in the Leon Cemetery followed.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
March 24, 2002