File contributed by Fred Hamilton ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Biography of Joseph Jackson and Celia Elizabeth Henry Hamilton Presented at the 33rd Annual Hamilton Family Reunion Downsville United Methodist Church Downsville, Louisiana August 4, 1991 Joseph Jackson (Joe) Hamilton was the tenth child born to Dr. James Meriwether and Julia Calhoun Hamilton. He was born in Downsville, La. on December 7, 1892. He was educated in the public school at Downsville, Louisiana. Joe attended LSU where he played baseball and football. One of the things he liked to do in Baton Rouge was climb on a train, ride for a while and then jump off. It is known that he could swim the Mississippi River there as well. He was a fun-loving man, who could play a french harp and loved to "Buck" dance. When his father was called to a patient's bedside at night, Joe often saddled his father's horse or hitched the buggy. Joe pretended never to hear his name called the first time - but he knew he must the second. Since he adored his mother, he took special care of her. The only time he was known to cry was when she died. Joe loyally served his country during World War I as a First Sergeant in the Army. He was sent overseas on a troop ship and was stationed near Paris. Upon arriving home, he stated he never wanted to leave home again. He seldom did, except for trips to Monroe, Ruston, and Farmerville. On September 20, 1920, at the Methodist Parsonage in Calhoun, Louisiana, Celia Elizabeth Henry became his bride. She was born in the Wilhite Community in Union Parish, La. on December 6, 1900. Her parents were William Lovett Pierce and Charlice Ann Tidwell Henry. Celia went to public school and attended Louisiana Tech for a time. Prior to her marriage, Celia taught school at Point, La. Joe and Celia had a wonderful marriage of 55 years before Joe died on September 26, 1975. During their marriage, the couple acquired a large farm on which they raised cotton, corn, watermelons, and sugar cane. Joe also raised cows and pigs. Celia raised chickens. Joe was an avid hunter all of his life. He had many hounds and bird dogs because he loved to hunt fox, deer, quail, doves, squirrel, and rabbits. He loved to fish as well. He loved to catch them...but he left the cleaning and frying to Celia most of the time. Joe and Celia always had a "truck patch" and garden. Their dinner table would groan with a mouth watering variety of fresh vegetables, beef, chicken, and pork. Celia was an excellent cook; famous for her chicken pie and chocolate cake. Joe always called black-eyed peas "seldom evers" because they had them so often. Butter beans were called "nickels" and sweet peas "bullets." Three children were born to Joe and Celia. Joseph Jackson, Jr. was the first born. He married Ann Ruby and they have two daughters: Susan Marie and Sherry Lea. Sue Ann, the second child, married Nelson Beasley and they had one son: Jack Nelson. She later married Charles Greer. Henry Meriwether, the third child, married Montene Kilcrease and they have one daughter and two sons: Mitzi Elizabeth, Henry Meriwether (Hank) Jr., and Joseph Evan. Rather than rock the children and grandchildren, Joe would bounce them in a straight chair and sing. He loved to tell stories and would repeat them over and over to the children, who have fond memories of his expertise as a storyteller. Being well respected in the Downsville community, Joe was often sought out for advice by his peers and the younger men in the area. He loved to tease and often said, "I'm gonna play for 99 years, then stop and be serious for one year before I die." Joe and Celia were a hard-working couple, who were totally committed to one another and to their children. Celia was very religious and loved her church with all of the activities connected to it. Joe lived his religion by example every day of his life. Joe died Friday, September 26, 1975 in the Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston, following a lengthy illness. The funeral was held September 27 in the Downsville Methodist Church. He was buried in the Downsville Cemetery. Celia died Tuesday, December 8, 1987 in the Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston after a brief illness. Her funeral was held December 9 in the Downsville Methodist Church. She was laid to rest by her husband in the Downsville Cemetery. OBIT--MONROE MORNING WORLD, September 27, 1975 JOSEPH HAMILTON DOWNSVILLE--Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. today at the Downsville United Methodist Church for Joseph Jackson Hamilton, 82, of Downsville, who died early this morning in the Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston after a lengthy illness. Officiating will be the Rev. Clyde Averett, with burial in the Downsville Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Celia Henry Hamilton of Downsville; two sons, Joseph Jackson Hamilton, Jr. and Henry Meriweather Hamilton, both of Downsville; one daughter, Mrs. Sue Ann Greer of Monroe; one sister, Mrs. Mattie Lou McGehee of Downsville; and six grandchildren. OBIT--RUSTON DAILY LEADER, December 9, 1987 MRS. CELIA HENRY HAMILTON DOWNSVILLE--Funeral services for Mrs. Celia Henry Hamilton, 87, of Downsville will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Downsville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Austin Smith and the Rev. Steve Williams officiating. Burial will be in Downsville Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick's Funeral Home of Ruston. Mrs. Hamilton died Tuesday at Lincoln General Hospital after a sudden illness. She was a long-time resident of Downsville, a homemaker, and member of the Downsville United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Survivors include on daughter, Sue Ann Hamilton Greer of West Monroe; two sons, Jack Hamilton and Henry Hamilton, both of Downsville; one sister, Mrs. Sue Calhoun of Downsville; three grandsons, Jack N. Beasley, Henry M. Hamilton, and Joseph E. Hamilton; three granddaughters, Susan Hamilton White, Sherry Hamilton Boyd, and Mitzi Hamilton Werner; two great-grandsons, John H. Beasley and Dan Carl Boyd; two great-granddaughters, Krystelle Beasley and Stacie White; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Dr. Steve Donald, Fred Hamilton, Harry Hinton, Doug McGehee, Don McGehee, Kenneth W. Henry, Don Ware, and Elton Upshaw. # # #