Levi J. Hamilton History of the State of Montana, by Joaquim Miller, 1894 Hon. Levi J. Hamilton, ex-mayor of Butte City is a native of Ohio, born in Attica, Seneca County, December 15, 1852. On the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish descent and on the maternal side English. The combination of such strains generally result in the highest development of manhood. Mr. Hamilton's ancestors settled in America about the time of the Revolution and also became early settlers in Hardin County, Ohio where his father Davidson Filson, was born in 1825. He married Margaret Carson, the daughter of Col. Samuel Carson, who served as a Colonel in the War of 1812. Of their ten children six are still living. The father died in 1892, in the 67th year of his age and the mother still survives, now in her 69th year, residing in Seneca County, Ohio. She is a member of the Methodist Church, as was also her husband and he was a farmer by occupation. In the earlier history of the family they were Presbyterians. Levi, their son, was brought up on his father's farm in Seneca County, attending the public school, also the Republic Normal School and the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. He taught a graded school for two years, then read law in the office of William M. Kilpatrick, who was then the prosecuting attorney for Shiawassee County, Michigan. After this he studied law at the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and began to practice. After serving one term as Circuit Court Commissioner, his attention was turned to the settlement of the Territory of Dakota. He removed to Pierre and practiced there three years, up to 1884 at which time he came to Butte and established himself in the practice of his profession which he has continued to the present time. Betimes he began to take an active part in the politics of the country, as a Republican, which he had always been, and in 1885 he received the appointment of City Attorney, to complete a vacant term. After this he was elected Police Magistrate, and after serving a term in that capacity was nominated and elected Mayor of the city. This was for the first term after the re-incorporation of the city. He filled one term in this capacity with satisifaction to the public and was then nominated by his party as a candidate for the office of District Judge, to run for election against Judge McHatton. The result of the election was contested, and to avoid the injury to the public involved in the long delays necessary to a judicial adjustment, both the candidates resigned, and Governor Toole, being a Democrat, appointed Judge McHatton to the position of District Judge. In the State campaign of 1892 when Governor Rickards canvassed the State, Mr. Hamilton canvassed a large portion of the State with him, doing effective work for his party. He has since devoted his time to the practice of his profession. He is also interested in considerable city property, and was one of the platters of the Vanderbilt addition to the city of Butte, and he and others donated to, and aided in, the establishment of the Mines on this property. August 26, 1879, Mr. Hamiliton married Eliza S. Lahring, a native of Brooklyn New York, who at the age of five years removed to Byron Michigan. He is the daugher of John F. Lahring. Mr. and Mrs. Hamliton have one daugher, named May, born in 1883. Mr. Hamilton has never joined any of the societies here, devoting his whole attention to his practice. He is a gentleman of pleasant manner, thoroughly reliable and is well spoken if everywhere he is known. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format forprofit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.