Norman Hamilton, surveyor and farmer, was born in the State of New York, on Jan. 9, 1831, and was a son of Henry and Emeline Hamilton,neeShepard, natives also of New York. He was educated there, receiving an academic course at Cherry Valley. Having an innate love for mathematics he made a specialty of the study of surveying, becoming very proficient in it. He came to Clayton County in 1854, and bought a farm of 200 acres, which he has since sold, and now owns one of 120 acres on section 15, Farmersburg Township. In 1855 he was married to Sarah Ballou, who was born May 7, 1836, of Alanson and Priscilla BallouneeSherman, natives of New Hampshire. To them have been born nine children, seven living - Eva, born May 7, 1856, married Clayton B. Hutchins, of Algona, Ia; May, born Sept. 1, 1857, is now Mrs. Reuben N. Douglas, of Postville; Henry C., born July 31, 1860; Nellie, Oct. 12, 1864; John, Feb. 9, 1866; Anna, March 4, 1870, and George, Aug. 5, 1873. Mr. Hamilton was a member of the Iowa State Militia, which was called out to suppress the whisky riot at Elkader. He has been very successful as a farmer, and is the owner of some choice fine stock, to the raising of which he has paid much attention. He has been Deputy County Surveyor for two years, and has held the office of County Director of the Poor for several years. He has ever been a faithful student, having habituated himself to a rigid course of study on the practical duties of life, and is a man of high literary attainments and superior mental endowments. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 777 |