Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 5 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 25

A native son proud of his association with the great commonwealth on the Pacific Coast, Samuel Hamilton was born in the Red Bank district of Fresno County, on May 2, 1877, the son of Stephen Hamilton, who came from Illinois to California in the early settlement of the state, having crossed the great plains, and for a time followed mining. Then he moved into Fresno County and became one of the early grain-ranchers near Red Bank, although he died at Oakland in 1897. Mrs. Hamilton was Albina Howison before her marriage; she also was a native of the East, and died in the Red Bank district in 1900. Two children were born of their union; Samuel, of this review, and Nellie, now a teacher in the Fresno State Normal.

Samuel Hamilton received the best education possible in the local public schools and at the Woodbridge Business College, and from a youth assisted his father at grain-farming. He was united in marriage at Tarpey, Fresno County, on December 10, 1899, with Miss May Alice Fleming, who was born at Lewiston, N. Y., and came to California and Fresno County in 1893 with her parents, J. M. and Emma E. (Odell) Fleming, and she was educated in the Jefferson school district.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton continued at grain-farming, in Red Bank, where he operated his mother's place, until her death in 1900; and then, having inherited the farm with his sister, he kept on raising grain and stock there for thirteen years. In 1903 or 1904, he and his sister purchased 160 acres in Enterprise Colony, and began improving it by setting out twenty-six acres in vineyard: and in 1912 they sold the old Hamilton place. Then he leased a vineyard at Clovis, which he ran in connection with the ranch of 160 acres; but he did not live to enjoy the fruits of his labors, for he passed away, February 23, 1914, at the early age of thirty-seven. After his death, Mrs. Hamilton built a residence on the tract of 160 acres and continued viticulture and farming, in partnership with Miss Nellie Hamilton. She made numerous improvements, and among them sunk a fine well. She resided on the property until 1917; then, on account of needed high school advantages for her children, she built a residence in Clovis, to which place she moved; and there she now resides, having rented the ranch.

Six children were born to this worthy couple, and five are at present living: Nellie Margaret, a graduate of the Clovis High School, Class of '19; John Leslie, attending the same; Ellison Stephen; Doris May, and Samuel Lawrence. Mr. Hamilton was always interested in the cause of popular education, and served as a member of the board of trustees of the Red Bank school district. Mrs. Hamilton is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church at Clovis, and a stockholder of the California Associated Raisin Company, one of the greatest agencies for the advancement of Central California.