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         ALEX. HAMILTON, a farmer residing on section 35, Wapello Township, and a pioneer of Louisa County of 1841, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1831, and is a son of Samuel and Mary Hamilton. When a lad of ten years he came with his parents to Louisa County, where he has made his home continuously since. Here he attended school in a little log school-house, whose dimensions were 14x16 feet. It was built of round logs, contained a puncheon floor, a fireplace occupying almost one entire side of the building, and the windows were made by cutting a piece from a log and covering the aperture with greased paper. During the summer months he assisted his father upon the farm, remaining under the parental roof until 1856, when . . .

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. . . he was united in marriage with Miss Susanna Dotson, a daughter of Bazzle S. and Mary (Davison) Dotson, early settlers of Louisa County. Their union was celebrated in Wapello Township, and to them have been born nine children, all yet living in this county: Annalitta; Davilla, wife of William Torode; Alonzo, Thomas, Adeline, Bertha, Frank, George and Charles.

In 1860 Mr. Hamilton purchased the farm where he yet continues to reside. Since his arrival in this county he has witnessed the rapid changes which have taken place, and has made the once wild and unsettled country blossom like the rose, a network of railroads crosses and recrosses the land, and towns and cites have been built. The rude log cabin into which the family first moved has long since given place to a more commodious residence. Commencing at the lowest round of the ladder, step by step Mr. Hamilton has worked his way up, until now success crowns his efforts, and his hard labor receives its reward. He is the owner of 120 acres of land, ninety of which are under the highest cultivation, and pay a golden tribute to his care and improvement. Politically, he is a Democrat, and a stanch supporter of the party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man well informed on all matters of general interest, takes an active part in the promotion of any enterprise for the public welfare, and receives the highest respect of the citizens of the community in which he resides.