John H. Hamilton

JOHN H. HAMILTON, an attorney-at-law of Columbus, Kansas, of which city he has been a resident for the past 17 years, is identified with large business interests both in Cherokee and in other counties. He was born in 1857 near Glasgow, Scotland, and is a son of Andrew and Jane (Foxe) Hamilton.

Both parents of Mr. Hamilton were of Scotch descent and came to America in 1864. Andrew Hamilton, Sr., located with his family at Braidwood, Illinois, and engaged in coal development, both as an operator and miner. He died at Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1881, aged nearly 70 years. The mother still survives, at the age of 86 years, and resides at Weir City, Cherokee County. The surviving members of their family are: J. H., of this sketch; William, a coal operator living at Weir City, Cherokee County; Matthew, formerly a coal operator, now a farmer and stock raiser of Missouri; and Mrs.McClennehan, a widow, and Mrs.McGregor, who are engaged in farming near Weir City, Cherokee County. Andrew Hamilton, Jr. (a brother of our subject), formerly a coal operator, died in 1898 at Weir City. The family own extensive coal interests in this locality.

J. H. Hamilton accompanied his parents to Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, August 2O, 1878, and for a time engaged in coal mining there, but for some years has been interested in lead and zinc mining in the Galena district, Cherokee County, owning several tracts of land there. He is also one of the largest stockholders and the vice-president of the King Lumber Company of Chanute, Kansas.

Prior to leaving Illinois, Mr. Hamilton had commenced the study of the law, but this was interrupted during his active operations in the Crawford County coal fields. At a later date he resumed the study of the law in the office of Blue & Glasse and was admitted to the bar at Columbus, in May, 1902. For a time he practiced in partnership with Col. R. W. Blue, to whom he has but recently sold his fine law library with the intention of devoting his time to coal developing. Mr. Hamilton has purchased some land near Greenwood, Arkansas, which is underlaid with a coal vein of from five to nine feet thickness. He proposes to open shafts on the land and will devote his personal attention to the work. This coal, which on analysis has proved to be semi-anthracite, is of a much better quality than any yet found in Cherokee County. Two railroads already run into the district, thus insuring these transportation facilities, these being the Iron Mountain and the Midland Valley, the later which runs through Mr. Hamilton's land. His prospects could scarcely be brighter for a large development and his previous business success is indicative of probable prosperity.

At Weir City, Mr. Hamilton married Anna B. Brown, whose parents came to Kansas 24 years ago, and whose mother still survives. They have four children, all born at Columbus, viz: Benjamin Harrison, Andrew Alexander, Jennie Foxe and John H., Jr. The pleasant family home is situated opposite the Cherokee County High School building.

Politically, Mr. Hamilton is a Republican. In 1886 he was elected clerk of the District Court of Cherokee County, in which capacity he served two terms. He is prominent in a number of fraternal organizations, among which are the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Columbus Camp, and the Masonic order, in which he has taken the 32nd degree. As a Mason he is a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Chapter, R. A. M., at Columbus; the Commandery, K. T., at Oswego; the Consistory, S. P. R. S., at Wichita; and Isis Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Salina. With his wife, he is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. They attend the Presbyterian Church.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Andrea Martin, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 11-21-96.