San Joaquin County
Biographies
HENRY HAMILTON
HENRY HAMILTON. The
name of Henry Hamilton is remembered throughout the San Joaquin valley as that
of one of the men who gave his best efforts toward the cultivation of the broad
farming lands of the state, becoming the owner before his death of twenty-two
hundred acres. This vast property is located in Stanislaus county, near
Grayson, and eighteen miles west of Modesto and about the foothills of Mount
Diablo region. Since Mr. Hamilton’s death, his widow, who began with him
many years ago on a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, has increased the
property to twenty-eight hundred acres, which she now rents, and on which hay,
grain and stock are raised as in the pioneer days of the state.
Henry Hamilton was
born in the state of Michigan, the son of Bemis Hamilton, of New York state,
who came to Michigan with his parents in early manhood. With the pioneer
element a part of his character both through instinct and training, Bemis
Hamilton came west in the early days of California, locating near Grayson in
the San Joaquin valley, where he made his home throughout the remainder of his
life. Henry Hamilton made the trip with his father in 1853, by way of the
Isthmus of Panama, he likewise intent on forming a part of the pioneer element
which was to make of California one of the first states of the Union. He
brought with him talent, energy and ambition, and though having received an
excellent high school education in Stockton, Cal., he found his efforts not
misdirected when he gave his time and attention to the cultivation of the
magnificent property which he acquired. In 1868 he located on the property by
which he is remembered to-day, remaining in that location until his death, in
1892, at the age of fifty-two years. Previous to his location in the San
Joaquin valley he had farmed in Livermore valley. In his political preferment
Mr. Hamilton was a strong Republican and was always active in his efforts
to advance the interest of the principles he endorsed. His was a strong,
earnest and forceful character, and throughout his life in the San Joaquin
valley was a power in the community where he made his home. He was widely known
and highly respected for his many sterling traits of character.
Mr. Hamilton’s
marriage in 1868 united him with another of California’s prominent pioneers, a
woman of strong, forceful character who proved to her husband a helpmeet
indeed. Before marriage Mrs. Hamilton was Miss Nora Coughlin, who was
reared and educated in Norwich, Conn., a daughter of Conklin Coughlin. He was a
native of County Cork, Ireland, and came to the United States in an early day,
locating at Lebanon, Conn., where he became the owner of a valuable farm of one
hundred and twenty-five acres. His death occurred in Norwich. His wife, who was
formerly Mary Driscoll, was likewise a native of County Cork and also died in
the same location as her husband. They were the parents of seven children, of
whom two sons and two daughters attained maturity. Mrs. Hamilton was the
eldest of these, and after receiving her education in the common schools of her
native state, she came to California in 1868, via the Isthmus of Panama, and
locating in Livermore valley was there united in marriage with Henry Hamilton.
Of this union were born eleven children, ten sons and one daughter, those
attaining maturity being as follows: Charley Oscar, a farmer in the San Joaquin
valley; Parnie Olive, the wife of Prof. Thomas Andrew
Story, M. D., of Stanford University; George Washington, a farmer of the
San Joaquin valley; Sylvester Bemis, who is now deceased; Sir Walter Raleigh, a
graduate in geology, of Stanford University; Henry Liberty, also a graduate in
geology at the same institution. Mrs. Hamilton is a member of the Baptist
Church in her religious affiliations. Since her husband’s death she removed to
Palo Alto to their present home at No. 529 Ramona street in order that her
children might receive the benefit of the good schools here. She also owns
considerable property here, consisting of lots, residences, etc.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 01 August 2014.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 256-257. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2014 Marie Hassard.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Genealogy Databases