BIO: Alfred J. HAMILTON, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 257. __________________________________________________________________ DR. ALFRED J. HAMILTON, physician and surgeon of Cassville, Cass township, Huntingdon county, was born October 31, 1845, in Shirley township, Huntingdon county, son of Robert and Nancy (Bard) Hamilton. His grandfather, William Hamilton, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was a foundryman in Blair and Huntingdon counties. He died in Petersburg, Pa. His wife was Miss Butler, they had thirteen children. Robert Hamilton, father of the Doctor, was born in Blair county, and was first a charcoal burner at Paradise Furnace, but in later years was connected with the tannery business at Concord, Franklin county. He died at Orbisonia, Pa., in 1878. He was an old-line Whig, and later a Republican. In religious faith, he belonged to the Methodists. His wife, who died at Orbisonia in 1880, was Miss Nancy Bard, born in Huntingdon county of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Their children are: Hester A. (Mrs. Isaac Sechrist); Henderson; Margaret, died in infancy; Martha (Mrs. Thomas Kelly), Orbisonia, Pa.; Alfred J.; and Robert, who died in the army near Richmond in 1864. Alfred J. Hamilton attended first the public schools of Cassville, later Cassville Seminary, and Martinsburg Seminary. At thirteen he began working as a farm hand in Tell township; he next worked eighteen months in a tannery at Mount Union, then four months in a stone quarry at Warriors Ridge, then at lumbering in Clearfield county. In 1864 he enlisted at Harrisburg in Company F, Nineteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Captain Hewitt. He participated in the battle of Nashville and in several minor engagements. In Arkansas a bullet passed through his coat, but without hurting him. In June, 1865, at New Orleans, he was mustered out and returned home, his health being seriously impaired by army life. Having saved up a little money he expended it in broadening his education, after which he taught school at Mapleton, Orbisonia, Sinking Valley and in Shirley and Cass townships, of Huntingdon county. During the summer season he worked at bark-peeling and railroading. In 1867 he began to read medicine with Dr. G. W. C. James, of Orbisonia, and soon after entered the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1870. After practicing a short time at Mapleton, he became the partner of Dr. Robert Hunter, at New Grenada, Fulton county. Dr. Hamilton came to Cassville in 1874, and has practiced there ever since. His practice extends through several townships; he was the regular physician for the Soldiers' Orphan School at Cassville. He is a specialist in diseases of the eye and has skillfully performed several delicate operations. In Cassville in 1874 he married Miss Martha S. Gehrett, born at Three Springs, daughter of Jacob Gehrett, who was of German descent, and who died in the Civil war. Their children are: Mary F.; Rebecca G.; Weir M.; George C.; Lucy A.; and Nancy, who died in infancy. Mary F., the eldest daughter, graduated at Millersville State Normal School, July 30, 1896, and is now a teacher. Dr. Hamilton is a loyal Republican; has been burgess of Cassville, member of the council, and school director. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Cassville, of Grange No. 444, Tod township; of the A. P. A., No. 177, Tod township, and of the P. O. S. of A. Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton are highly respected by a wide circle of acquaintances.