Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed and donated by Vance Tigges & Kathy Weaver.

It requires a man of courage, strength of character and good judgment to fill the office of sheriff in such a way as to meet the approval of the taxpayers of a county. The subject of this review is now serving for the third term as sheriff of Carroll county, Iowa, and has so conducted the office as to merit the commendation of all law-abiding citizens, also promoting a wholesome regard for law throughout the county. His birth occurred in Clinton county, Iowa, on the 12th of September, 1852, his parents being John and Mary (Muldoon) Hamilton, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former of County Antrim and the latter of County Clare. John Hamilton, who was a farmer by occupation, came to Iowa in 1837, settling near the present site of Clinton, where he made his home until 1867. Removing to Boone county, he there passed away in the same year at the age of fifty-six. His wife was called to her final rest in 1904, when eighty-three years of age, also passing away in Boone. Both were faithful communicants of the Catholic church. They were the parents of six sons and two daughters, as follows: Robert J., who is a resident of Nevada; Margaret, the wife of James Grace, of Des Moines; Charles F., of this review; William H., living in Fort Worth, Texas; David N., of Ogden, Utah; Martin B., who makes his home in Des Moines; Mary, the wife of Mathew Riley, of Boone, Iowa; and George, deceased.

Charles F. Hamilton was reared in Clinton county and subsequently spent two years in Boone. The year 1874 witnessed his arrival in Carroll and here he has resided continuously to the present time. He obtained his education in an old-fashioned log schoolhouse and after putting aside his text-books learned the blacksmith's trade, following that occupation until 1906. In that year he was chosen sheriff of Carroll county and still holds the office, having been elected for the third term.

On the 2d of September, 1874. Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Susie Grace, a native of Ireland and a daughter of John and Julia Grace. Unto them were born three children, namely: John V.; Robert J.; and Grace, who died when twenty-one years of age.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hamilton has loyally supported the democracy. He served as city marshal of Carroll for nine years, discharging his official duties in a most commendable and satisfactory manner. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, while in religious faith both he and his wife are Catholics. His sterling traits of character have won him wide respect and made him liked wherever he is known.

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