Hancock County IL Archives Biographies.....Hamilton, William Ransom November 5, 1829 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 9, 2009, 10:26 pm Source: Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown WILLIAM RANSOM HAMILTON is the well-known and popular Postmaster of Carthage. He was born in Johnstown, Ful- ton County, N. Y., November 5, 1829, and is a son of Artois Hamilton. The family has long been prominently identified with the history of this community, for it was founded in Hancock County in pioneer days. Our subject was con- cerned in the events which resulted in the death of Joseph Smith, the noted Mormon. He, in company with the Deputy County Clerk, David E. Head, took the county records in his father's wagon to about eight miles east of Carthage, and hid them in a cabin in the woods, for it was ex- pected that the Mormons would sack the town. Mr. Hamilton also remembers seeing the body of Hyrum Smith taken to Nauvoo in his father's wagon, while that of Joseph Smith was placed in a wagon containing four Mormons who had come to take the murdered men. Mr. Taylor, who was wounded in seven places, was brought to the hotel which was kept by Mr. Hamilton's father, opposite the site of the Criss House, and William aided in caring for the injured man, who was kept there for ten days. Those were excit- ing times, and great dangers were often incurred. On the 8th of June, 1854, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Miss Martha H. Miller, a native of Elmira, N. Y., and a daughter of Warren Miller. To them were born six children, but three are deceased. Ida A., Willard C. and Herbert are yet living in Carthage. The year following his marriage, Mr. Hamilton entered upon official duties, being Census Taker of the county, which then had a population of twenty-two thousand one hundred and fifty-eight. In 1858 he was elected Sheriff, which position he filled for two years. On his retirement from of- fice in 1860, he removed to his farm in Prairie Township, now Carthage Township, and made his home thereon until 1882. His knowledge of public affairs, however, caused him to be often called upon to assist one or another of the county officials, and he has always been more or less connected with public interests. In 1882, he took his family to California and Oregon, expect- ing to make his home in the Northwest, but sick- ness caused his return to Illinois in 1883. Soon after he was chosen to fill a vacancy caused by the death of his old friend, Justice John M. Fer- ris, who was one of the honored and most highly respected pioneers of the county. A special elec- tion soon followed, and it seemed the universal wish that Mr. Hamilton should succeed to the judicial honors. He acceptably filled the various duties of the position for ten years, but about a year ago he became Postmaster of Carthage, Pres- ident Cleveland having appointed him to the posi- tion in recognition of his fifty years of faithful service in the ranks of the Democracy, his good business ability and popularity. Mr. Hamilton has long been well known to many of the leaders of his party, and faithfully served for some years as Chairman of the County Democratic Committee. He is a man of broad and liberal views and is highly regarded by all. For over forty years he has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Hancock Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M., when twenty-three years of age, and for several years served as Master. He also belongs to Carthage Chapter No. 33, R. A. M.; Carthage Council No. 47, R. & S. M.; and Almoner Commandery No. 32, K. T., of Augusta, and has frequently been a representative to the Grand Lodge. Mr. Hamilton is a pleasant, genial gentleman, of com- manding presence, free from all ostentatious dis- play, and possesses those social qualities which make him a favorite with all. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/hancock/bios/hamilton1557gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb