DeSoto Parish, Louisiana; Biography:  William P. Hamilton - h543

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Submitted by Gaytha Carver Thompson
Typed by Trudy Marlow
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Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives



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William P. Hamilton, although just in the prime of life, has made 
his way to the front ranks among the energetic planters of this 
parish, and owing to the attention he has always paid to each minor 
detail be has accumulated a fair share this world's goods.  He was 
born in Schuyler County, MO., in 1843, being the second of nine 
children born to William A. and Malinda (Lay) Hamilton, both of 
whom were born in Grainger County, Tenn., the birth of the former 
occurring 1820, and his wife's, some five or six years later. They 
were reared and married in their native State, and from there, at 
an early day, they moved to Schuyler County, Mo., thence to Decatur, 
Iowa, during the war, and are still making their home in that county, 
being worthy citizens and earnest members of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Hamilton is a farmer, and his father, William Hamilton, was 
also a worthy and successful tiller of the soil.  The latter was 
born in Tennessee, and died in Decatur County, Iowa.  The mother's 
father, John Lay, was also a Tennesseean and passed
from life in Schuyler County, Mo., prior to the
war.  William E. Hamilton received the advan-
tages of the common schools in his youth, and
possessing a strong desire to become a well-in-
formed man, he made the most of the opportunities
offered him.  In 1862 he joined Company C,
Ninth Missouri Infantry, and operated with Gen.
Price all through the war, his first fight being at
Pea Ridge.  Later he was at Elk Horn, Prairie
Grove, Wilson's Creek, Pleasant Hill, Jenkins'
Ferry, being wounded in the Pleasant Hill fight.
After the close of the war he settled in De Soto
Parish, where he was married in the month of
August, 1865, in Texas to Miss Sarah, daughter of
John and Cecilla M. Glover, who were born in
South Carolina and Alabama, respectively, coming
from the latter State to De Soto Parish, at an early
day, their deaths occurring here in 1889, Mr.
Glover having been a farmer.  Mrs. Hamilton was
born in De Soto Parish, and has borne her hus-
band nine children, five sons and three daughters
now living.  Mr. Hamilton rented land for three
years after his marriage, then purchased his pres-
ent plantation of 620 acres, which is situated four
miles east of Mansfield.  He has 240 acres cleared,
he most of which has been accomplished by his
own efforts.  He is a member of the Farmers' Al-
liance, and he and wife have long been members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.