San Francisco
County
Biographies
WILLIAM
THOMAS HAMILTON
The subject of this sketch was the only son of
John Hamilton and Phoebe Stickley, who were
descendants of the sturdy Scotch and Dutch who settled in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia. John Hamilton was one of the intrepid
pioneers, which the status and environments of this country has developed. In
1827 he emigrated to Illinois, when Chicago was a
log-fort, and subsequently took part in the Blackhawk war. In 1829 he made the
journey on foot from Illinois to the Shenandoah valley,
and the following spring married, and with his family settled near Peoria,
Illinois, in 1837, where he followed his occupation of blacksmith for many
years. In 1861, although 57 years of age, he tried to enlist
as a private in the Union army, and was refused on account of disability---the
loss of one eye. William T., his son, has inherited many of the
characteristics of that heardy (sic) race of
pioneers, and in his border life on the Western frontier and in California has
shown that bravery, tenacity and independence that belong to his ancestry. He
was born in Bloomington, McLane county, Illinois, May
1, 1838. He attended the public schools---a short time at the Baptist college in Pekin; learned the trade
of a blacksmith, and thus equipped, with the addition of a robust constitution,
he commenced his career in life. In 1857 he started across the plains for
California with no capital, under contract to she mules for his passage.
He tried mining on Frazer river and drifted back to Marysville, California. In 1862 he
took a trip to his old home in Illinois, thence to New York, Panama and back to
Marysville. During this voyage he contracted the Panama fever, and, being
unable to work at his trade, went to work for an undertaker and worked about a
year, which circumstance, in a large measure, has changed his avocation in
life. He joined Yuba Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., in 1864, and was a charter
member of Mountain Vale Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F., and served in every office
from Warden to Noble Grand, which office he held four terms, and was elected
Grand Representative in 1870. Of the members of this Lodge he was one of
twenty-two who built a fine lodgeroom. (sic)
He joined Truckee Encampment, I. O.
O. F., in 1876, and is now a member of Oakland Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he served
three terms as treasurer, and of Oakland Encampment, and is also a member of
Oakland Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 16. In 1873 he became a member of Sierra
Valley, No. 84, F. & A. M., and Donner Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M., at
Truckee. In the year 1877 he changed his membership to Oakland Lodge, No. 188,
F. & A. M.; Oakland Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., and joined Oakland Commandery, K. T., No. 11, in all of which Masonic
organizations he is a life member. He also belongs to the Scottish Rite bodies, and has attained his thirty-second degree. In
the year 1887 he joined Oakland Lodge, No. 2, A. O. U. W.; served as Foreman
one term and Receiver eight years. At the last session of the Grand Lodge he
was elected Representative and nominated Grand Receiver, and was given a very
complimentary vote for one who had never been before that body. He is a member
of Oakland Lodge, No. 2,058, K. of H., and has been Receiver eight years; and
also a member of Live Oak Lodge, No. 17, Knights of Pythias.
During all these years he has never received one cent in benefits. In 1876 he
removed to Oakland and entered into the undertaking business, and in 1879 was
elected coroner, serving successively four terms---in all, seven years. His
administration was very popular, and conducted in such an upright and efficient
manner that the public press, during all that time, made no criticism. After
years of active public
service he decided to retire from business, and sold his undertaking business
and agreed not to open the same in Alameda county for five years.
Travel and rest brought back his
former vigor, and believing that employment in some congenial business would be
better suited to his condition induced him, in February of this year, to
establish the most complete and best arranged undertaking establishment, on the
corner of Geary and Stockton streets, San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast, and
one that compares favorably with any in the United States. He is married to a
most estimable lady, his domestic relations being of the happiest.
He is genial, unostentatious and
generous. A man of few words, sound judgment, sensitive nature and keen
intellect; his great influence among his associates has been gained by strict integrity
and unwavering rectitude in adversity and prosperity. Blessed in his family
associations, esteemed among men, honored with responsible official positions,
civic and fraternal, his career in life has been one of usefulness, and a model
of enlightened American citizenship.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: “Illustrated Fraternal Directory Including
Educational Institutions on the Pacific Coast, Page 138, Publ. Bancroft
Co., San Francisco. Cal. 1889.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
San Francisco County Biographies