George J. Hamilton Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1654-1655 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	GEORGE J. HAMILTON, engaged in the general merchandise business in 
the town of Mellette, was born in Brownhelm, Lorain county, Ohio, on the 
25th of August, 1860, and is a son of Alexander Hamilton, who was born 
and reared in Edinburg, Scotland, whence he came to America in 1855, 
settling in Ohio, where he was engaged as overseer in a quarry for a 
number of years. In 1863 he removed with his family to Vernon county, 
Wisconsin, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, 
remaining there until 1885, when he joined the subject in South Dakota, 
where he afterward maintained his home, being engaged in farming in 
Spink county. He died in 1895. The subject of this review was reared on 
the home farm in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he availed himself of 
the advantages of the public schools. He continued to be there engaged 
in farming until 1882, when he came to what is now the state of South 
Dakota, arriving in March and taking up his location in Spink county, 
where he took up government land, thirteen miles southeast of the 
village of Mellette, being there actively engaged in farming and stock 
growing until 1896, while he still retains possession of his homestead, 
which he has developed into one of the valuable ranches of this favored 
section of the state. In the autumn of the year last noted he removed to 
Mellette, where he was engaged in the livery and draying business until 
1899, when he disposed of his interests in these lines and associated 
himself with his younger brother, Walter, in the general merchandise 
business here. They have since successfully continued operations, under 
the firm name of Hamilton Brothers, and have a well-appointed store and 
one in which is carried a select and comprehensive stock in each of the 
several departments, while both of the interested principals are held in 
uniform confidence and esteem in the community. The subject has been 
incumbent of various township offices and is at the present time 
chairman of the board of education in his home town. In politics his 
franchise is exercised in support of the Populist party and fraternally 
he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. 

	On the 6th of November, 1889, Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss 
Fannie Cloyd, who was born in Illinois, whence she came with her parents 
to South Dakota in 1884. Of this union has been born one child, Hazel.