Dr. Charles H. Hamilton, one of
the leading physicians of Clayton County, Ia., was born
in Montgomery County, N.Y., on the 7th day of December,
1842, a son of Henry C. and Mary Ann (Keller) Hamilton,
his father of Scotch and his mother of German descent.
They were married in Montgomery County, May 27, 1840. By
this union there was a family of nine children, four
daughters and five sons. Mr. Hamilton was previously
married to Eveline Shepard, by whom he had five children.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are still living on the old
homestead. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and at
the organization of the Republican party joined them, and
has affiliated with them since. The Doctor was reared on
his father's farm, and received his education in his
native State. When eighteen years old he commenced
teaching school, which he followed for several years, and
in September, 1864, came West, spending his first winter
in Clayton County. The following year he entered the Iowa
State University, where he prosecuted classical and
scientific studies two years. In 1867 he went to
Muscatine County, Ia., and in 1869 was elected County
Superintendent of Schools. His time not being all
employed he read medicine with Dr. H. M. Dean, and in the
fall of 1871 attended lectures at Rush Medical College;
also attended lectures during the winter of 1872 and '73,
and graduated with honors. The same spring he formed a
partnership with Dr. John Linton, of Garnavillo, where he
remained until 1877, when the partnership was dissolved,
since which time he has followed his profession alone in
Monona. Dr. Hamilton is emphatically a self-made man,
having combatted the stern realities of life at every
step, and is a living instance of the truthfulness of the
old adage that patient and persevering efforts will
overcome all obstacles. Immediately after locating in
Monona, he secured a large and lucrative practice, which
has steadily increased. On June 12, 1873, he married
Matilda Lewis, a daughter of Thomas Lewis, a native of
Harrison County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are the
parents of two children-- Florence and Gayle. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1042-1043 |