William P. Hamilton, although just in the prime of life, has made his way to the front ranks
among the energetic planters of this parish, and owing to the attention he has always paid
to each minor detail be has accumulated a fair share this world's goods. He was born in
Schuyler County, MO., in 1843, being the second of nine children born to William A. and
Malinda (Lay) Hamilton, both of whom were born in Grainger County, Tenn., the birth of the
former occurring 1820, and his wife's, some five or six years later. They were reared and
married in their native State, and from there, at an early day, they moved to Schuyler
County, Mo., thence to Decatur, Iowa, during the war, and are still making their home in
that county, being worthy citizens and earnest members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hamilton
is a farmer, and his father, William Hamilton, was also a worthy and successful tiller of
the soil. The latter was born in Tennessee, and died in Decatur County, Iowa. The mother's
father, John Lay, was also a Tennesseean and passed from life in Schuyler County, Mo.,
prior to the war. William E. Hamilton received the advan- tages of the common schools in
his youth, and possessing a strong desire to become a well-in- formed man, he made the
most of the opportunities offered him. In 1862 he joined Company C, Ninth Missouri
Infantry, and operated with Gen. Price all through the war, his first fight being at Pea
Ridge. Later he was at Elk Horn, Prairie Grove, Wilson's Creek, Pleasant Hill, Jenkins'
Ferry, being wounded in the Pleasant Hill fight. After the close of the war he settled in
De Soto Parish, where he was married in the month of August, 1865, in Texas to Miss Sarah,
daughter of John and Cecilla M. Glover, who were born in South Carolina and Alabama,
respectively, coming from the latter State to De Soto Parish, at an early day, their
deaths occurring here in 1889, Mr. Glover having been a farmer. Mrs. Hamilton was born in
De Soto Parish, and has borne her hus- band nine children, five sons and three daughters
now living. Mr. Hamilton rented land for three years after his marriage, then purchased
his pres- ent plantation of 620 acres, which is situated four miles east of Mansfield. He
has 240 acres cleared, he most of which has been accomplished by his own efforts. He is a
member of the Farmers' Al- liance, and he and wife have long been members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
( DeSoto Parish,
Louisiana; Biography: William P. Hamilton - h543 . Submitted by Gaytha
Carver Thompson Typed by Trudy Marlow . USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages
may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization
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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing
Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 ) |