Person:James Hamilton (228)

James Eward Hamilton, the eldest of the family, married Jane McCoy, and in addition to the two children, Philander and Robert A., who were born to them in Kentucky, they became the parents of five other children, namely: Margaret, who was born October 11, 1823, married William M. McCoy, who died December 8, 1881, and she May 9, 1897; Nancy, born March 19, 1828, became the wife of Jacob C. Adams, who died February 15, 1881; Mary E. was born March 9, 1828; James M., born December 24, 1833, died in July, 1834; and Fidelia, born August 1, 1837, became the wife of Michael Sefton, who died in June, 1869, after which she married Charles Buchanan, now of Boone county, Indiana. James E. Hamilton, the father of this family, took great pride in his vocation of farming, and not only won success for himself but also aided his children in getting a start in life, and left at his death a large estate. He never speculated or earned a dollar in an illegitimate way, but through the avenue of honorable business methods he gained a handsome competence. He was also deeply interested in whatever he believed would prove a benefit to the community, and gave his support liberally to such measures. In 1835, when the first effort was made to build the railroad from Lawrenceburg to Indianapolis, he was a liberal subscriber to its stock, and again in 1848, when the scheme was revived, he purchased considerable stock, advanced money on its bonds, also canvassed the country in its interests, and for a number of years served as a director of the road. He was a broad-minded, enterprising and public-spirited man, in whom the poor and needy always found a friend. His integrity was proverbial, and his honesty in all business transactions made his reputation in commercial circles an unassailable one. His wife was a daughter of Alexander and Nancy Campbell McCoy, who were descended from the famous Campbell family of Scotland, so illustrious in history. Mrs. Hamilton devoted her life to her home and the interests of her husband and children. Her Christian example, as well as teachings, had a marked influence upon the lives of her sons and daughters. She died in 1851, and her death was deeply mourned throughout the community.

In 1854 Mr. Hamilton was again married, his second union being with Rosanna McCoy, a cousin of his first wife. He died January 13, 1881, and his wife survived him several years, during which time she remained on the old family homestead. His eldest son, Philander, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, September 20, 1819, and when a lad suffered an injury whereby he was crippled for life. He pursued his education under the instruction of J. G. May, in the old Decatur County Seminary, and there prepared for entrance into Hanover College, in which institution he was graduated with the honors of his class. He then taught school for a short time in Bloom- field, Kentucky, and in 1841 was principal of the Decatur County Seminary. The following year he edited the Decatur Sentinel, and during that time studied law under the instruction of Judge Davidson, of Greensburg, and was admitted to the bar at the spring term of the circuit court in 1843, on a certificate of examination and legal qualifications made by Judge M. E. Eggles- ton and James Perry. Immediately thereafter he began practice, and before his death had attained honorable distinction in the legal profession. In politics he was a Whig and an anti-slavery man of the Horace Greeley type. He represented his county in the legislature in 1846-7, and 1847-8, and was one of the most efficient members ever sent to the house from this locality, his arguments always winning support for the measure he advocated. He died at his father's home March 5, 1849. m tr1e midst of a prominent career.

... The eldest son of this family was James Eward Hamilton, the father of our subject. He was born March 30, 1795, married to Jane McCoy November 5, 1818, and died January 13, 1881, on his farm in the Kingston neighborhood. He was a well known and highly respectable citizen of the community in which he had lived. He was not only a successful farmer, prosperous in his business, but he took a keen interest in whatever he thought would be a benefit to the community, and to all such measures he gave a liberal support. ...

... James E. Hamilton was born March 30, 1795; married to Jane McCoy November 5, 1818; died January 13, 1881. ...

... After the death of the father, Robert Hamilton, in 1817, the management of the old Kentucky farm and the charge of the family mainly devolved upon James E., he being the eldest, which was continued until his marriage, at which time it was assumed by Thomas and Cyrus, by whom it was continued until after the marriage of the latter. March, 1822, James E. and his brother Cyrus, with their wives (who were sisters) and the two children of the former (Philander and Robert A.), left the home of their birth and emigrated to this county, and, on the 11th day of that month, unloaded their goods by the side of a large poplar log in the then unbroken forest near the roadside (as at present) and directly in front of the late residence of James E. Against this poplar log they put up a bark shelter and there these six persons found such protection as it could afford from the weather until the men had cut the logs and put up a rude log cabin - the first one built between Greensburg and Seth Lowe's, near Kingston. Their next work was another cabin for Cyrus, which was soon done, with the aid of neighbors, who would then travel any distance almost to assist each other. For some time after this the work of the two brothers ran together, and, by giving mutual aid, they were soon able to open clearings that were an honor to their industry. The year after the arrival of James E. and Cyrus in Decatur County, their mother and family came to the county, Thomas, the second son, coming on in advance and preparing a house for them in the summer of that year - 1823. ...

... JAMES E. HAMILTON, deceased, eldest son of Robert and Mary (Eward) Hamilton, was born in Nicholas County, Ky., March 31, 1795; lived on his father's farm until his marriage, having no special educational advantages. He lost his father in 1817, and assumed the charge of the farm until the following year, when he was married to Jane McCoy, December 5, 1818. He remained in Kentucky until 1822, and, meanwhile, became the father of two sons — Philander, born September 20, 1819, and Robert Alexander, born July 22, 1821. He emigrated to Indiana in March of the year 1822, with his wife and sons, in company with his brother Cyrus and wife. At this time, Robert A. was only seven months of age, and some idea of the temper of the pioneers may be attained when one considers the father, mother and two little sons - one an infant - striking out into such a wilderness as Decatur County, without even a cabin to afford protection from the weather. They came, however, with a determination of making a place for themselves and their children, and time has amply proven the wisdom of their choice. Today a grateful posterity looks back with pride to those sturdy pioneer ancestors, and their memory is sacred.

After coming to Decatur County James E. Hamilton became the father of the following children:
- Margaret, born October 11, 1823; married William Madison McCoy January 9, 1844; now living in Rush County, Ind.; he died December 8, 1881.
- Nancy, born March 19, 1828; married J, C. Adams June 7, 1849; living at McCoy's Station, Ind; he died January 15, 1881.
- Mary E. born March 19, 1828; lives with her sister Nancy.
- James M., born December 24, 1833 ; died July, 1834.
- Fidelia, born August 1, 1837 ; married Michael Sefton February, 1860; he died in June, 1869; she married Charles Buckhannon, in September, 1871, and now lives in Boone County, Ind.

James E. Hamilton was a farmer who took pleasure in his avocation; his whole ambition seemed to center in making that avocation a success; and he did. His wealth, which, after having given many thousands to his children during life, yet amounted to many thousands more at his death, may be literally said to "have been dug from the soil" He was no speculator, and never made a dollar in an illegitimate way. He was a liberal patron of whatever he believed would be to the interest of the country - railroads, turnpikes, schools, churches, etc. In 1835, when the first effort was made to build a railroad from Lawrenceburg to Indianapolis, he was for his means a liberal subscriber to its stock, and again, in 1848 and 1849, when the scheme was revived, he subscribed to its stock, advanced money on its bonds, canvassed the county in its interests and afterward served a number of years as a director in the company. While in the latter years of his life, he took no active part in these enterprises, they always received such encouragement as he could give - his vote and his money. An earnest believer in the dignity of labor, and that those who wanted to work could find work to do, he had no patience with idlers or beggars, while the worthy poor of his neighborhood always found in him a friend ready to help in time of need. In the support of the church of his choice, its Pastor, foreign and other missions, Bible societies, etc., he was always a liberal giver. Some three years before his death, after making a liberal donation toward paying off the Kingston Church debt, he presented the church with $2,000, the interest on which is to constitute his perpetual subscription to the Pastor's salary.

... After his wife's death, Mr. Hamilton remained single until 1854, when he was married to Rosanna McCoy. This second union was not productive of children. Mrs. Hamilton is still residing at the old home place. Mr. Hamilton lived to see his children grow to manhood and womanhood, educated and settled for themselves. He died January 13, 1881, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. ...