Biographical Sketch of
A. E. Hecocks
Transcribed by Jaimee Hedlund Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 403 - 404 Frederick B. Hamilton, for many years a successful and public-spirited citizen of Waushara County, has a home in Hancock, where he is interested in assisting his two sons in their buisness, as far as age and health will permit. His business standing is beyond question, his personal character above reproach, and though he has all but completed the allotted measure of life and is still alert and vigorous. The Hamiltons are an old New England family, and Lebbeus, the father of Frederick, was born in Halifax, Windham County, Vermont in May 1794. After the good old American fashion he moved west as soon as he became of age, and settled in Pennsylvania. There he presently found a wife, Sally Dickinson, who proved herself a helpmate to him in every relation of life. In 1856 he brought his family into Adams County, where he pre-empted forty acres and with his sons Frederick and Silas bought in addition two hundred and eighty acres of unimproved land for which they paid a dollar and a quarter an acre. In 1864 the father and Silas died of smallpox. That year Frederick sent his name to Wautoma for enlistment, but he was taken sick and for a time could not leave home. Before he recovered he was drafted, and promptly reported at LaCross, he was assigned to Company H, Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served through-out the remaining months of the Civil War. He was discharged at Troy, New York, May 26, 1865. The most important stuggle in which he participated was that known as the battle of Wilcox Bridge, North Carolina, a fierce conflict that covered three days, from the 8th to the 10th of March 1865. His associations with the great struggle for the Union are very precious to him, and he has long been an earnest and hard working member of the Grand Army. He belongs to Tom Eubank Post, No. 150, located at Hancock and for many years he has served as its commander, and in every way has identified himself with its prosperity. When Mr. Hamilton returned from the war, he sold the farm which he had purchased with his father and brother, settled up all claims against it, and bought a eighty-acre tract in section 12, in the town of Leola, which he speedily converted into a very attractive and profitable establishment. In 1874 he was elected county treasurer and removed to Friendship, which was his home for six years. In 1881 he returned to his farm, and continued its cultivation for the next ten years. In 1891 he took charge of the general store that was inaugurated by the Farmer's Alliance, and was its manager for several years. At that time the changed conditions of the Alliance seemed to make it advisable to sell the store, and Mr. Hamilton settled and severed his connection with the Alliance and went onto a small farm for a time, after which he bought the property in the village of Hancock which is now his home. Mr. Hamilton was born in the town of Gibeon, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1831, and put behind him a long and active life. Wherever he has been, he has the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been associated. While he lived in Adams County there was not a year in which he was not associated in some way with the town and county affairs. He served on the county board for twelve years, and was several times its chairman. He is a Republican interpretations of all questions, He was married to Harriet Barnes, in his native village, June 26, 1852, and is the father of four children: Emma, Sylvester, Stanley, and Eugene. Stanley was married to Leafy Fansler, and lives in Hancock. Here also lives his brother Eugene, whose wife was known before her marriage as Harriet Coggins. Mrs. Hamilton's father, Amos Barnes, was born in Connecticut. He was a farmer and came to Pennsylvania in early life, where he married Mary Belcher. His father Nehemiah Barnes, was a native of Connecticut and served in the Revolution. Mr. Hamilton's grandfather, John Hamilton, married Amy Angel. His maternal grandfather, Jonathan Dickenson, married Betsey Bull at Hoosick Falls, New York, and moved to Sandy Creek, and was there at the time of the battle of Sacket Harbor, in the war of 1812. The contending forces swept across his farm, and his experiences became interesting matter for reminiscences in after years. Stanley Hamilton was a man of affairs in Adams County, and when his father was county treasuer he taught school in Friendship and was widely known as a capable teacher. After his marriage he located in Friendship and conducted a jewelry store. For six years when he was a clerk of the court. In 1894 he removed to Hancock and went into trade company with J. W. Gunning, and opened up a combined jewlery and furniture store. Eugene Hamilton is also a resident of Hancock. He owns a fine farm in Adams County, consisting of one hundred and forty acres, but prefers to live in town and is carrying on an extensive livery business.Transcribed by Jaimee Hedlund
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