|
J. E. Hamilton J. E. Hamilton was born in White Eyes township on the farm which is still his place of recidence, his birth occurring January 22, 1859. His father, John, is mentioned on anothr page of this volume. The son was reared as a farm boy, that is, taught the industry and perseverance constitute success, and was trained to appreciate the true value of earnest and honorable labor. He mastered the common branches of English learning in the public schools and when he left home he determined to follow as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He therefore bought a farm of forty acres and later added to this from time to time until he now owned two hundred and forty-three acres, constituting the old home place. He makes a specialty of raising and breeding horses and cattle and both branches of his business are proving profitable. H ekeeps only high grades of stock and in all of his business he followed progressive methods, keeping in touch with the spirit of enterprise, whcih is as evident in commercial line as in other departments of business activity. On the 9th of October, 1885, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Zelma A. Boyd, who was born August 18, 1861, in Coshocton county, a daughter of Robert R. and Mary Ann (Johnson) Boyd. Her father's birth occurred in County Donegal, Ireland, in August, 1811, and his parents were Robert and Jane (Ramsey) Boyd, who, about the year 1825, brought their family to America and settled in Coshocton county, Ohio. It was a wild pioneer district, in which the work of civilization and development seemed scarcely begun. Robert Boyd entered land from the government and upon his claim built a log cabin . while he cleared and improved his farm, bringing the place under a high state of cultivation and making this a valuable property. It is still in possession of the Boyd family. Robert R. Boyd, father of Mrs. Hamilton, gave his entire life to general agricultural pursuits, carrying on diversified farming, and through his well directed labors and his unfaltering perseverance gained a handsome competency. He was married May 23, 1839, to Miss Mary Ann Johnson, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Stephenson) Johnson, who were of Irish descent. They settled in Coshocton at an early day and here Mrs. Mary Ann Boyd was born and reared. In his political views Mr. Boyd was a republican. Both he and his wife enjoyed the high regard of all who knew them and in the community wehre they lived they had many friends. Their family numbered foruteen children: William J., who married Elmira Elliott and resides in Missouri; Jane, the wife of Thomas Hamilton, who is living in White Eyes township; Richard, deceased; Sanuel F., who married Elizabeth Brown and is living in White Eyes township; Robert A., who wedded Mary Jane McMruray and makes his home in Marion county, Ohio; Mary Ann, the wife of Alexander Adams of Keene township, this county; Caroline, deceased; Hester Ellen,t he wife of James B. Elliott, of Coshocton; Elizabeth, the wife of John Clark, of this county; Daniel, who married as his first wife Matilda Compton, and after her death married Augusta Crawford and resides in Coshocton; Erastus, who married Mary Elizabeth Hamilton, of Kenne township, this county; Zelma, the wife of J. E. Hamilton; Carvetta, the wife of Samuel Crawford, of Coshocton county; and Everett, who married Lucy Maxwell and makes his home in White Eyes township. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton has been blessed with five children, but they lost their firstborn, Clarence R. The others are: Bernice C., a graduate of the resno high school; Thomas Herbert and Guida Augusta, who are also in school. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Fresno and are people of general worth, enjoying in large measure the confidence, respect and friendship of those with whom they have been associated. Mr. Hamilton also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp of Fresno. The republican party finds in him a stalwart supporter. He has been an interested witness of the growth and development of the county for almost half a century and rejoices in what has been accomplished here, while throughout his entire life he has borne his full share in the work of development.
|