BIO: Hugh HAMILTON, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 207.
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  HAMILTON, HUGH, the son of John Hamilton and Margaret Alexander, was 
born at "Fermanagh," now in Juniata county, Pa., on the 30th of June, 
1785.  He received a careful preparatory education, and with his 
brother John was sent to Dickinson College, where he graduated.  He 
studied law under Thomas Elder, and was admitted to the Dauphin county 
bar in 1805.  At the time of his admission to the bar Judge Henry had 
ordered the prothonotary to issue commissions on parchment.  
Accordingly the descendants of the young lawyer have his commission "on 
parchment," issued 21st of June, 1805, signed by "Joshua Elder, 
Pro'thy, by order of the court, "with the seal of the county attached.  
In 1808 Mr. Hamilton edited and published The Times at Lancaster, and 
upon the removal of the seat of government to Harrisburg, with William 
Gillmor, The Harrisburg Chronicle, the leading and influential 
newspaper at the State capital for twenty years.  The Chronicle was the 
first paper in Pennsylvania which gave full and systematic legislative 
reports.  He died at Harrisburg, on the 3d of September, 1836, aged 
fifty-one years.  Mr. Hamilton married, January 6, 1807, Rosanna, 
daughter of Adam Boyd and Jeannette MacFarlane, born December 1, 1789, 
died April 17, 1872.  They are both buried in the Harrisburg cemetery.  
Mr. Hamilton was a vigorous and polished writer, and his editorials 
were models of elegant composition.  For a quarter of a century he 
wielded considerable political influence through his newspaper.  He was 
an active and enterprising citizen, twice chief burgess of the 
corporation of Harrisburg, frequently a member of council, and highly 
esteemed in social intercourse.