BIO: Robert Hamilton, Jefferson County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens. 
Chicago, Ill.: J. H. Beers, 1898, page 1066-1068.
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ROBERT HAMILTON is undoubtedly the oldest native-born citizen of 
Jefferson County, who yet makes his home within its borders.  For 
eight-five years he has resided here, bearing his part of the material 
development, sharing in the labors that have transformed its forests 
into marketable products and its lands into highly-cultivated farms, 
and  exerting his aid and influence for the welfare of churches, 
schools and all moral interests.
  Mr. Hamilton was born in Perry township, in January, 1813, a son of 
David and Margaret (McFarland) Hamilton.  His father was born in County 
Derry, Ireland, and in that country was married, one son, James, being 
born to them before their emigration to America.  On coming to the 
United States they located near Greensburg, Penn., where Mr. Hamilton 
spent two years in the employ of Judge Young, a prominent man of the 
day.  In 1805 he purchased 180 acres of land in Perry township, 
Jefferson County, and in the midst of the forest located his family, 
their home being a round-log cabin.  He afterward built a hewed-log 
house, in which he lived until his death in 1850.  His wife passed away 
in 1821.  David and Margaret Hamilton had six children:  (1) James, 
born in Ireland, remained with his father until his death at the age of 
forty-two years, largely operating his land, which covered 1,000 acres 
in Indiana and Jefferson counties.  (2) Joseph died in childhood.  (3) 
Young was killed by a falling tree in his boyhood.  (4) John, born in 
Perry township, in 1807, married Mattie Hopkins, of Indiana county, and 
located in East Mahoning township, that county, on a farm given him by 
his father.  There he spent his remaining days, dying in March, 1894, 
at the age of eighty-eight years.  His widow and four children survive 
him.  Margarett, the eldest, is the widow of William Nichols, who died 
in 1894, but she is still living on a farm given her by her father 
adjoining the old homestead.  Nancy became the wife of Nathaniel North, 
of Indiana county, and resided on a farm in North Mahoning  until her 
death a dew years since; Anna (Mrs. Haslet) resides on a part of her 
father's farm; and Elizabeth (Mrs. Winecoop) resided on a farm near her 
father's until her death, which occurred in 1892.  (5) David, who was 
born and reared on the old homestead, married a Miss North and died on 
the home place in May, 1895, leaving a widow and four children, who 
still reside there.
  Robert Hamilton was reared under the parental roof, and received but 
limited educational privileges, for there were no free schools in the 
neighborhood.  He and his brother John assisted their father in 
clearing the farm, and were connected with him in the purchase of land 
until his father's death.  In 1837 the entire management and settlement 
of the estate devolved upon our subject.  His father gave him 300 acres 
of partially improved land adjoining Perrysville, and at the time of 
his marriage he located on that property, building there a good 
residence.  For many years he successfully conducted a mercantile 
establishment there, carrying a large and well selected stock of goods, 
and receiving from the public a liberal patronage.  He also 
superintended his farming interests.  He purchased the Hadden and Bell 
farms adjoining the old homestead, and has dealt extensively in real 
estate.  He is now one of the largest land owners of Perry township, 
having 1,000 acres in the neighborhood of his home.  In 1845 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Margaret Johnston, of Armstrong county, 
and for almost fifty years they traveled life's journey together, but 
on the 2nd of January, 1894, they were separated by the hand of death.  
They had eight children:  (1) James J., born in November, 1846, and 
educated in the select schools of Perrysville and the common schools of 
Perry township, married Maggie Gourley, of Jefferson county.  They now 
reside on his farm a mile north of Perrysville, and in connection with 
agricultural pursuits he deals in live stock and follows lumbering.  
Their children are - David B., who is married, is a graduate of the 
Columbus (Ohio) Medical School, and is now practicing in Mason, Ohio; 
Ella, who became the wife of  Alexander Mitchell, of Jefferson county, 
and died in 1895, leaving a daughter, Ella; and Blanche, yet at home 
with her parents.
  (2) WILLIAM S. HAMILTON, born in Perrysville, in 1848, was educated 
in the public and select schools, and in his early life engaged in 
farming, stock dealing and merchandising.  In 1876 he went to the town 
of Indiana, where he followed merchandising for ten years, a part of 
the time as a partner of William R. Loughrey.  He married Emma Rowe, if 
Indiana, daughter of Adam and Susan Rowe, a lumberman and real estate 
dealer of Indiana county, Penn.  A daughter was born to them March 21, 
1885, and died in August of the same year, and the mother passed away 
January 23, 1886.  In May, 1885, William S. Hamilton became associated 
with J. R. Johnston in the brokerage business, having an office at the 
corner of Fifth avenue and Wood street, Pittsburg.  His experience in 
business as a speculator and broker were quite extensive, from 1886 to 
1888, and the firm were members of the Board of Trade in Chicago.  They 
leased 12,000 acres of land in Greene county, Penn., for oil purposes, 
and were pioneers in what was known as the Nineveh oil fields, but 
owing to the ill health of Mr. Hamilton the partnership was dissolved 
in 1889.  Since that time he has resided on the old family homestead, 
engaged in farming and kindred pursuits.  In 1895 he built one of the 
finest residences of the county, supplying it with all modern 
improvements.  He is a very energetic and capable business man, a 
scholarly gentleman and a trusted friend who in all life's relations is 
true and faithful to his duties.
  (3) D. A. Hamilton, the third of the family, was born in February, 
1851, attended the public schools of Perrysville, and pursued a 
commercial course in Mt. Union, Ohio.  He clerked in his father's 
store, and was manager of the business for a number of years.  Later he 
engaged in merchandising on his own account.  In 1884 he married Annie 
Edmonds, of Bethlehem, Penn., and then located in Perrysville, where he 
erected a very fine residence, his time being now devoted to the 
management of his farming interests.  He has a daughter, Garnett, and a 
son, Robert E., both at home.
  (4) Mary E. Hamilton, born on the old homestead in 1852, married Dr. 
A. D. McComb, of  Clarion county, Penn., who is now practicing his 
profession in Hawthorn, Penn.  They have one child, Myrtle, who is 
still under the parental roof.
  (5) Laura A., born in November, 1854, and educated in the select 
schools of Perry township, is the wife of Dr. J. A. Miller, of 
Jefferson county, who for thirty years has successfully practiced 
medicine in Perrysville.  They have two children - Robert H., a 
graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, is now associated with his 
father in business; and Mary N., a cultured young lady, is a graduate 
of Hollidaysburg Seminary.
  (6) Martha J., born on the old homestead, in August, 1856, married 
Dr. John K. Brown, of Somerville, Jefferson county, where for many 
years he has practiced medicine.  His wife died on March 19, 1887, 
leaving a daughter, Bessie, who is still with her father; a son, Robert 
McFarland, died at the age of two months; and another son, John B., 
died at the age of two years.
  In his political views, our subject was originally a Whig, and on the 
organization of the Republican party joined its ranks.  He has held the 
office of postmaster of the Hamilton office for a number of years, and 
for an extended period has been school director and treasurer.  He is a 
member of the Perry Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also 
belonged, and in that faith they reared their family.  He is a 
venerable old man, whose well-spent life has won him the unqualified 
respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.  The family is 
one of prominence in the community, and father and sons have long been 
known as leading business men.