Hamilton, James

HAMILTON, GIBSON, MULLIGAN

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/24/2021 at 15:44:29

James Hamilton resides upon section 9, Marion Township. He is a native of County Down, Ireland, born in 1814, and is the son of William and Rachel (Gibson) Hamilton. His father was a weaver by trade and served seven years in the English army, and died in 1867. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His mother died about the same year. The subject of this sketch learned the weaver’s trade in his native country, which he left in 1850, coming to this country, which he left in 1850, coming to this country and locating in the State of New York, where he lived four years, engaged in farming. He then moved to Ottawa County, Ohio, where he lived two years engaged in work in a stone-quarry. He then came to Washington County, Iowa, and settled on section 9, Marion Township, where he still resides. At that time he entered 100 acres of low brush land, which he improved, and to which he subsequently added thirty acres, and now has one of the best improved farms in Marion Township, with a house and barn erected at a cost of $2,500; the farm is all under cultivation. In 1843 Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Margaret Mulligan, a native of North Ireland. There are the parents of three children: Eliza, now the wife of L. F. Sigafoos, of Marion Township; J. W., now residing on the home farm, and Susan, also at home. Mrs. Hamilton died March 2, 1882. She was a member of the Baptist Church, of which body Mr. Hamilton was also a member.

James Hamilton started in life a poor boy, and the property that he now possesses was acquired by hard work, good management and fair dealing. In his life-work he has been successful, and is now reaping the fruits of his industry and awaiting the summons to come up higher.

J. W. Hamilton, the son of James Hamilton, was also born in the County Down, Ireland, Sept. 2, 1848, and came with his parents to America when but two years of age. He was educated in the district schools of Washington County, Iowa, and here grew to manhood. He is at present engaged in running the home farm, and is serving his third term as Clerk of the township of Marion. During his entire life he has been an industrious and hard-working man, and by close attention to business, has been quite successful in his chosen occupation. He is an enterprising man, one who endeavors to keep posted in general literature and in all political affairs. In politics he is a Greenbacker, and is a member of the Christian Church or New Light Church.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of James Hamilton, page 195.