Biography of W S Hamilton, Fulton Co, AR

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Submitted by: Michael Brown <michael@grnco.net>
        Date: 26 Sep 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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page 284

W. S. Hamilton. A history of any community, large or small, is made up, to a
greater or less degree, of the lives of its citizens, and it is apparent to any
intelligent observer that the history of this county is only such as has been
made by those who have been identified with its development for some time. Mr.
Hamilton can safely be classed among the pioneers of the State of Arkansas. His
father, Thomas Hamilton, was a native of Ohio, born in 1822, and came to
Kentucky at an early day. He was a miller by trade, and followed this pursuit
during the principal part of his life. He was married in Kentucky, in 1846, to
Miss Sarah Bunton, a native of Virginia, born about 1828. Eight children were
given them, five of whom are now living: W. S., John W., David, farmer in the
Indian Nation; William, resides in Independence County, Ark., and is a farmer;
and Melissa, wife of John M. McCandlass, a farmer of Fulton County. Thomas
Hamilton left Kentucky in 1856, and moved to Illinois, where he resided until
1869, but subsequently be located in Greene County, Ark. After remaining there
two years he moved to Fulton County, Ark., and engaged in the milling business
at Elizabeth, where he remained thus occupied until his death, which occurred
on the 20th of October, 1887. He had been justice of the peace of his township
in this county for some time, and was a man universally respected. He and wife
were both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother died March
3, 1861. W. S. Hamilton came to this county with his father, and settled on
Spring River, in the east portion for some six years. He then moved to his
present property of 160 acres, eighty acres under cultivation, and there he has
since remained. He has made all the improvements, and has a fine farm. His
marriage occurred in 1868, in Illinois, to Miss Mary A. Green, a native of
Tennessee, and to them have been born ten children, nine now living: Sarah E.
(deceased), Philip T., born April 7, 1871; N. J., born on the 22d of July,
1873; Melissa, born January 22, 1876; Emily F., born on the 7th of November,
1878; George W., born on the 17th of March, 1880; Nancy E., born on the 22d of
June, 1882; H. W. and Letha A. (twins), born on the 6th of November, 1885; and
Susan M., born on the 23d of April, 1888. Mrs. Hamilton is the daughter of
Thomas and Mary A. Green, natives of Tennessee, who were the parents of two
children: Mary A., born on the 12th of January, 1852, and Philip, who resides
in Illinois. Mr. Green died in 1852, and in 1855 his widow married Thomas
Nipper, by whom she had these children: Sarah J. (deceased), Emily C.
(deceased), J. H., and Thomas (deceased). Mr. Nipper died in 1865, of smallpox,
and all the children, but the two mentioned above, died of the same dread
disease. Mr. Nipper was in the Union army, but was so disabled from exposure
that he was discharged about 1863. Mr. Hamilton has filled the office of
constable, has also been justice of the peace, and, like his father, is a
Democrat in politics. He is a member of Lodge No. 94, of the I. O. O. F., at
Vidette, Ark., and has served as secretary and treasurer, and also vice grand
of his lodge.