Thomas Hamilton

As printed in 1909

THOMAS HAMILTON.

Thomas Hamilton is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war and in matters of citizenship has always been as loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag on the battlefields of the south. Throughout his business career he has followed the occupation of farming and has prospered in this undertaking, being now the owner of a valuable place of three hundred and six acres in White Eyes township, upon which he has lived continuously for more than a third of a century. A native of Ireland, he was born December 5, 1842, of the marriage of John and Mary (Fair) Hamilton, both of whom were natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. They came to America in 1843, settling in Keene, Ohio, but afterward removed to White Eyes township, where the father purchased a tract of land and carried on farming until his death. Unto him and his wife were born six children: Margaret, the wife of Jonas Brown, of White Eyes township; Thomas, of this review; Claudius, deceased; Mary E., the wife of W F. Park, of Fresno; James and Matilda, who have also passed away.

Thomiis Hamilton was reared as a farm boy, working at the plow and in the harvest fields through the months of spring, summer and autumn, while in the winter seasons he pursued his education in the public schools. At the age of nineteen, however, he left the farm that he might join in the defense of the Union, for rebellion had broken out in the south and the country was in grave peril. He therefore enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Company J, Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and send until the close of the war, participating in a number of hotly contested battles. He participated in the engagements at Stone River, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and Burnt Hickory. He was also in the battle of Atlanta and other engagements of the Atlanta campaign and was wounded in the left foot during the battle of Missionary Ridge. He was a brave and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of any duty assigned him, and when hostilities had been brought to an end he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennes,see.

Mr. Hamilton then returned to Coshocton county, Ohio, and became actively interested in farming in this locality, purchasing eighty acres of land in White Eyes township. He made further arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss margaret J. Boyd, who was born in this county June 6, 1843, and is a daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Johnson) Boyd, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. After their marriage the young couple took up their above on the farm which he had purchased and made it their home until 1873, when Mr. Hamilton sold that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the place on which he now resides. To this he has added from time to time until he today has three hundred and six acres in this township. His careful cultivation of his fields has resulted in bringing to him large crops which find a ready sale on the market and he also makes a specialty of raising and breeding Percheron horses, owning several full blooded horses of that kind. His business interests are capable conducted along progressive lines and he is now one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton there were born six children: Mary Etta, whose birth occurred May 26, 1866, and who passed away April 21, 1890; Cora E., born February 'l 3, 1868, who is the wife of M. L. Barrick, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; John F., who was born December 6, 1870, and is now a resident of Van Orin, Illinois; Ada, born November 20, 1873, who is the wife of W. H. Lorenze, of Coshocton county; Collenia D., born February 25, 1878, who is the wife of John E. Thomas, of Adams township; and Robert R., born December "6, 1882, who married Victor Myer.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio; (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.