BIOGRAPHY: Maj. David HAMILTON, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 39
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MAJOR DAVID HAMILTON. One whose name and military record is familiar to many 
people of Cambria county is Major David Hamilton,  of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  
He is a son of Robert and Polly (Hoover) Hamilton, and was born August 28, 1822, 
in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  The father of Major Hamilton was a native of 
Eastern Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Huntingdon county; later he moved to 
Frankstown, now in Blair county, where he lived until he removed to Tuckahoe, in 
Blair County.  About 1810 or 1811 he came to Johnstown and died here February 2, 
1864.
     Major Hamilton received a very limited education under the instruction of 
one of the old typical Irish schoolmasters of that time.  He learned the trade 
of a carpenter, and followed that occupation, in connection with contracting, 
until he entered the Civil War, April 16, 1861.  He enlisted in the Tenth 
regiment, Pennsylvania infantry, company H, as a first lieutenant.  This was in 
response to the first call of three months.  The end of this term of enlistment 
was September 30, 1862.  This short service did not satisfy the patriotic zeal 
of our subject, for he re-enlisted, entering the cavalry service in the 
Eighteenth regiment cavalry, company K.  He served with honor in this regiment, 
which was under the command of that dashing cavalry officer, General Kilpatrick, 
until he was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor.  He was so severely wounded 
that he could not again rejoin the service.  His wound, which was in the left 
hip, resulted in the paralysis of his legs, and he was kept in the hospital at 
the Naval school, Maryland.  He received the unusual honors of a discharge by a 
strict order from Edward M. Stanton, Secretary of War.  The war record of Major 
Hamilton shows him to have been a faithful soldier and worthy of much honor.  
Before this he had received two wounds, once with a bullet and twice with a 
sabre.  About a year prior to his discharge he served as major, an honorable 
title, justly bestowed.  Since the war Major Hamilton has not engaged in any 
active work.
     He married Jennie Oiler, who died May 30, 1889.  He is a member of the G. 
A. R., Post No. 30, and Camp 1006, Union Veteran Legion.
     Major Hamilton has been a republican ever since he has been old enough to 
think for himself, and has always been an active politician.  In 1884 he was 
elected associate judge of Cambria county.
     Major Hamilton was a brave soldier, who gave his blood for the freedom of 
his country.  What more could be said of him?  Any more would be superfluous.