Nicholas County, West Virginia Biography of Augustus Allen HAMILTON, JR. ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Joan Wyatt, , March 2000 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume II pg. 154 AUGUSTUS ALLEN HAMILTON, JR. While he carries about as heavy a burden of practical and technical responsibilities as any mining superintendent in Logan County, Mr. Hamilton is widely known over the southern district of the state for his effective leadership in civic and business lines. Mr. Hamilton is general superintendent of the Lyburn and Wilburn mines for the Richcreek Coal Company in Logan County. He came to the Logan coal fields from the New River fields on November 1, 1906, and his first active connection here was with the Yuma mines controlled by the Robertson Interests of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hamilton was born on his father's farm at Keslers Cross Lanes in Nicholas County, West Virginia, June 1, 1886, son of Augustus Allen and Ada Ann (Campbell) Hamilton. He was only an infant when his mother died. His father, now seventy-three and living at the old homestead, is a son of Col. David R. Hamilton, who was a Confederate veteran in the war between the states and a member of an old family of Rockbridge County, Virginia. A. A. Hamilton, Sr., has been a prosperous farmer, has a fine home, and is very much interested in the democratic politics of his section of the state. A. A. Hamilton, Jr. has a brother, John David, who remains at the old homestead. Mr. Hamilton acquired a good general education in the public schools and the normal at Summerville. His early ambition was to enter the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and he prepared for the examination, but at that stage his father objected and in consequence he prepared for a business career by taking a commercial course at Charleston in 1904. On leaving college he had a clerical position with the McKell Coal Company on Loup Creek and then in 1906 came to Logan County for the Yuma Coal and Coke Company as pay roll clerk. He also was bookkeeper and assistant superintendent, was promoted to superintendent, and in 1917 became general superintendent for the Lyburn and Wilburn mines. On August 14, 1910, Mr. Hamilton married Eunice Brooke McComas, daughter of Albert McComas, of Logan County. Their two children are Edith Ann and John Wallace. Mrs. Hamilton is a Methodist. He is a past master of Aracoma Lodge No. 99, A. F. and A.M., is a member of Logan Chapter No. 41, R. A. M., belongs to Kanawha Commandery, K. T., the West Virginia Consistory of Scottish Rite at Wheeling, and the Shrine at Charleston. He is associated with Frank Martin and Naaman Jackson as the other members of the building committee to erect Masonic Home in Logan. Mr. Hamilton had an active part in the recent troubles in this coal field due to the invasion of union miners from the North. He is a democrat in politics. As superintendent his relationship with his employes has always been cordial, and the men have the confidence and respect for him based upon the understanding that he recognizes their point of view. Mr. Hamilton is a director of the Bank of Logan.