Person:Robert Hamilton (83)

Research Notes

• cos1776 Note: Robert and Susan went to Nicholas County, Kentucky to marry. Both of their families were originally from there. Distance from Washington Twp, Decatur County, Indiana to Nicholas County, Kentucky is approx 150 miles!

Residence of Robert A Hamilton, Washington Township, Decatur, Indiana

1. ↑ Family Recorded, in A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana: compendium of national biography. (Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company, 1900)
   262-267.

   ROBERT ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
   More than a century ago Washington said: "Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man;" and the remark is as true to-day as when spoken. There is no employment which on an average is more profitable than agriculture when well understood; yet not every man may make a success of this calling, which demands intelligence and thorough preparation as much as any other vocation. Mr. Hamilton, however, who was well trained in the business methods of the farm and in the conduct of his agricultural interests, has met with creditable prosperity. He is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored families of Decatur county, and no history of this section of the state would be complete without the record of his life.
   
   A native of Kentucky, he was born in Nicholas county, July 22, 1821, and the following year was brought by his parents to Indiana. He is a son of James Eward Hamilton, and his grandfather, Robert Hamilton, was a son of William Hamilton. ... Mr. Hamilton, whose name heads this sketch, was also a descendant of the Eward family. ...
   
   ... In March, 1822, James E. and Cyrus Hamilton, with their wives, who were sisters, and the two children of James (Philander and Robert A.) left Kentucky and came to Indiana. On the 11th of March they unloaded their goods by the side of a large poplar log, in the then unbroken forest, near the site of the residence of the late James E. Hamilton. There they erected a bark shelter, which served as a protection for these people until a cabin could be erected. Into this the Hamilton families moved, and in a short time a log cabin was also built for Cyrus Hamilton, the neighbors for miles around coming to assist in this work. In 1823 the mother and the other members of the family also arrived in Decatur county, the son Thomas preceding them in order to prepare a home for them. Since that time representatives of the family have been actively and honorably identified with various business interests, but have been particularly prominent in agricultural circles. ...
   
   ... Robert A. Hamilton, whose name begins this review, though born in Kentucky, was reared in Decatur county, and since 1822 has made his home on the land given by his father. He experienced all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life, learned to clear land, make rails, and did all kinds of farm work. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and his efforts have been crowned with a high and merited degree of success. His educational privileges were only such as the pioneer schools of the time afforded, and he pursued his studies only through the winter season, his services being needed on the home farm in the summer months.
   
   He assisted his father until twenty-seven years of age, when he married Miss Susan Saunders, who was born in this county, April 5, 1828, a daughter of James and Cynthia (Hall) Saunders, both natives of Nicholas county, Kentucky, where their marriage occurred. ... By this marriage of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Hamilton six children were born, four of whom died in infancy, the others being Inez and James Henry.
   
   The former [Inez Hamilton] is the wife of Judge Daniel Wait Howe, who was a captain in an Indiana regiment during the civil war, and is the author of "The Puritan Republic." The children of this union were Ruth, Lucy and Susan.
   
   James Henry [Hamilton] graduated at Hanover College in 1885, and after studying in the University of Halle and Berlin took the degree of Ph. D. from the University of Wisconsin. He was married in 1890 to Maud Hume, and has one daughter, Hildegard. He is now the professor of political science in Syracuse University.
   
   Largely through his [Robert Alexander Hamilton's] efforts and those of his father, James E. Hamilton, an endowment of five thousand dollars was raised for the Presbyterian church at Kingston, the first Presbyterian church organized in the county, of which Mr. Hamilton, though never a member, was for more than forty years one of the trustees.In his political affiliations he is a Republican, but has never aspired to office. His time and interests have been closely given to his farming and stock-raising interests. He has now a large tract of land under a high state of cultivation, the same farm on which he located at the time of his marriage. There, in a little brick house, one of the first brick structures in the county, he and his wife began their domestic life; and this little home is still standing in the rear of their present residence, a constant reminder of the early days. It is surrounded by a beautiful grove, which Mr. Hamilton himself planted. The now large trees add to the attractiveness of the place, while the walks and drives and well kept lawn are the indication of the prosperity and enterprise of the owner. The home is supplied with all the modern conveniences, and natural gas is flowing from one of the wells on the place. At this comfortable home Mr. Hamilton and his wife are spending their declining years after a happy married life covering a half century. Their friends are many, and throughout the community they are held in the highest esteem.

2.   Family Recorded, in Greensburg Standard. (Greensburg, Indiana)
   1 Feb 1907.

   ... Robert Alexander Hamilton, whose name heads this sketch, though born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, July 22, 1821, was reared in this county, and since 1822 has lived on the land which he inherited from his father, and still owns. He was brought up to work on his father's farm, and he has kept it up - making farming, and co-incidentally stock raising, his life work. In 1842 he made a visit to Kentucky, the land of his fathers, and it was mainly owing to his influence that his cousin, then young Warder Hamilton, came to Indiana and located in this county.
   
   At the age of twenty-seven, Robert A. Hamilton married Miss Susan Saunders, a daughter of James Saunders, a native of Kentucky, but a son of whom his adopted state was proud. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Hamilton took up their residence on the present home farm, in perhaps the first brick house built in this county, and which is still standing in sight of the palatial residence now occupied by them. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Hamilton, only two survive, Inez and James Henry. Inez married Judge Daniel Wait Howe who was a captain in an Indiana regiment during the civil war. Judge Howe lives at Indianapolis. He is an eminent jurist, and a writer of distinction. The youngest - "Hal," as he is famililarly called, but Prof. James H. Hamilton, as he is known to the world - was born October 31, 1861. He was graduated from Hanover College in 1885 and besides studying two years in the universities at Halle and Berlin was graduated from the University of Wisconsin. For several years he filled the chair of Political Economy and Sociology at Syracuse (N.Y) University. He is now manager of the eastern division of the University Settlement work in New York City.
   
   This is not a sectarian institution, but a humane charitable work, in which are engaged some of the most prominent and wealthiest citizens of the great city. A loader in the work is William English Walling, a grandson of the late Hon. William H. English, of Indiana. The work that is being managed by Prof. Hamilton is not restricted by creed, race or nationality - though indigent foreigners probably reap most largely of its benefits. Estensive buildings have been erected, hospitals established for the sick, schools are maintained, and a systematic bureau provides positions for the unemployed. It is a matter of gratification to the many friends of Prof. Hamilton to know that he is engaged in a great work that is commensurate with his talents. Largely through the efforts of Robert A. Hamilton an endowment of five thousand dollars was raised for the Presbyterian church at Kingston, the first Presbyterian church organized in the county. Mr. Hamilton was for more than forty years a trustee. Mr. Hamilton is a pronounced Republican, but has not taken an active part in politics. He has never held an office. He has devoted his energies to the management of his farms. His first farm was one hundred and ninety acres, given to him by his father on the condition that he should pay one-fourth of the value of it. This he did, and in addition to this farm, he now owns the home place consisting of some four hundred acres, all in a high state of cultivation. He has made a specialty of fine stock, and his herds of fat cattle roam in lazy comfort over rich pastures of blue grass. Mr. Hamilton and his wife are spending the evening of their lives in quiet and ease, with every convenience and comfort at their hands, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Family Recorded, in Atlas of Decatur Co., Indiana: to which are added various general maps, history, statistics, illustrations. (Chicago: J.H. Beers, 1882)
   78.

   ROBERT ALEXANDER HAMILTON was born July 22, 1821, in Nicholas County, Ky. Though a native of Kentucky, he has been identified with Decatur County ever since his earliest recollections, which date back to the earliest pioneer days of the county. He was brought up to work on the farm, and, like his father before him, has made farming a life's work and a success. His education was the same as other boys in the old times, attending school winters and working summers. He was his father's right-hand man on the farm, where he remained until his twenty-eighth year, when he was married to Susan, daughter of James and Cynthia (Hall) Saunders, the event taking place February 7, 1849. Immediately after the marriage, they moved to his present home farm, taking up their residence in one of the first brick houses built in the county, and which is still standing in a good state of preservation near his present residence.
   
   The union of R. A. Hamilton with Susan Saunders has been productive of the following children:
   - Inez,
   - Philander (deceased),
   - Lulie, an infant son (deceased),
   - James (deceased) and
   - James H.
   
   Mr Hamilton's first land - 190 acres - was given him by his father for his services on the old home place before marriage, for which R. A. was to pay one-fourth the purchase price, which he did. It was in bad condition. R. A., however, went at the improvement with a will and kept on steadily at work until he brought it to a high state of cultivation. To the 190 acres he has added largely from time to time till he is now the possessor of one of the largest and most productive farms in the county. He is also the owner of the old home place — 400 acres — buying out the heirs at his father's death, being determined to keep the 79 home of his childhood in the family. He made the deed to his son, James H., who is to take possession at the age of twenty-five years. Mr. Hamilton has made farming his life's work and is a model farmer. His farm is so divided into fields that he can utilize every portion of it. He makes a specialty of stock, paying especial attention to the fattening of large fine cattle for the Eastern market. His herds of fat cattle are unsurpassed in this part of the country, and revel in rich pasturage, the best of blue grass. Though a farmer by occupation, the subject of this sketch has taken an active part in many enterprises. Whatever he goes into, he goes at with his whole soul, and allows no one to out-do him in general improvement. He has taken special care in the education of his children, realizing that that would be the most enduring of all that he could possibly give them.
   
   His only surviving son, James H., is at present attending Hanover College.
   His only daughter, Inez, was married, in 1871, to D, W. Howe, Franklin, Johnson Co., Ind They subsequently removed to Indianapolis, where they now reside. Judge Howe is a lawyer of ability and prominence. Mr. Hamilton is a man of fine social qualities, loves a good story and is ever ready to give or take a joke. His residence, four miles northeast of Greensburg, is a handsome, substantial brick, and is supplied without and within with the comforts and luxuries of life. He feels that his life's success has been on the farm and there he intends to live and die.

   Robert Alexander Hamilton