[p. 1007] a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Plaingrove Township, residing on his well-improved farm of eighty-four acres, was born November 11, 1832, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and who is a son of George and Nancy (Donnelly) Hamilton.
George Hamilton was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 1792, and was reared on a farm which later became a part of the Gettysburg battlefield. In his native county he married Nancy Donnelly. He was of English and German extraction and served in the War of 1812. His wife came from Irish ancestors. In 1830 he moved with his family to Washington County and was engaged in milling and blacksmithing there until 1837, when he settled in Plaingrove Township, Lawrence county. For fourteen years he leased a farm there and then bought one of seventy acres, which he partly cleared and improved. He was the father of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, the youngest being born after the family came to Lawrence County.
David Hamilton was the eighth child born to his parents, to whom he proved a dutiful son. They died when aged about seventy-six years, having been for years leading members of the United Presbyterian Church. David obtained his education in the old red school-house near the homestead, and there formed the acquaintance of the lady to whom he was married on June 11, 1855, and whose maiden name was Susan Offutt. She was born in Plaingrove Township, and is a daughter of John and Margaret (Patterson) Offutt and a granddaughter of John Offutt, who came to Lawrence County at a very early day from Westmoreland County. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton lived on the Hamilton homestead until 1856, when he went to New Castle and there learned the wagon-making trade. For five years he worked at it at New Castle and then worked for nine months at Cincinnati. Later he worked at well-drilling, for two years, since which time he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1897 he bought his present farm, which he has placed in fine condition.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have had nine children, six sons and three daughters, two of whom, Richard and Thomas, are deceased. The survivors are: John W., George A., Alexander B., Agnes, David, Margaret, and Elizabeth. Mr. Hamilton and family belong to the United Presbyterian Church. In his political views he is a Republican. He belonged to the "Know-Nothing" party in the early fifties. He has been active in public affairs in the county and has filled a number of responsible offices. For one term he was census enumerator, for ten years was a member of the Republican County Committee, and at present is the efficient health officer of Plaingrove, Scott and Washington Townships. As a citizen he stands very high in public esteem.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 15 Feb 2002