Important business projects have been promoted and controlled by William F. Hamilton, now one of the prominent ranch men living at Douglas. He was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1850, a son of William R. and Annie (Hamilton) Hamilton, who although of the same name were not related. The father was a farmer, real estate man and foundryman, devoting his life to those various pursuits. Both parents have passed away.
    William F. Hamilton pursued a public school education and afterward attended the New Athens (Ohio) College. When his text-books were put aside he took up the occupation of farming in the east and was thus engaged until his removal westward in 1879. Arriving in Wyoming in that year, he turned his attention to the sheep industry, taking up his abode on a sheep ranch. He lived on the old government farm, fourteen miles north of Laramie, and he brought the first sheep across the Platte river into Wyoming in 1880. He homesteaded what was known as the Eighty-Six Homestead and resided thereon for six years, becoming one of the early residents of that section of the state. When the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was built through that section of the country he took up his abode in Douglas in 1886 and since that period has made his home in the city, from which point he has directed his sheep interests. He laid out the Hamilton addition to Douglas and has been a most potent factor in bringing about the substantial development, progress and upbuilding of the section of the state in which he lives. He is engaged in ranching on an extensive scale and he has studied closely every point bearing upon the practical development and improvement of the region. Realizing what it would be to the district to have an adequate water supply, he became the originator of the La Prele dam and reservoir project, resulting in the building of a dam one hundred and thirty-six feet high and the construction of one hundred miles of ditch, whereby twelve thousand acres of land have been brought under cultivation. In this undertaking he was associated with Dr. Wilson and B. J. Erwin, the three men planning and carrying forward to successful completion a project which has been of untold value and worth to this section of the state. With many affairs of importance to the community Mr. Hamilton has been closely and helpfully associated. At one time he was postmaster of Douglas and at every period of his residence in the city, covering thirty-two years, he has stood for progress and improvement along lines that have produced splendid results.
    In September, 1883, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Vincent, formerly of Pennsylvania and of Ohio, and their children are: Martha, the wife of D. D. Caley; Artie V., the wife of John Le Bar, who is engaged in the automobile business in Douglas; George R., who is engaged in ranching: James H., who is with the United States army in France: and William S., who is in the United States navy.
    In his political views Mr. Hamilton has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and in this connection it may be mentioned that his father was one of the organizers of the underground railroad through Pennsylvania to conduct the escape of the negroes to the north. Fraternally Mr. Hamilton of this review is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is fond of hunting and outdoor life, to which he turns for rest and recreation. He has made himself a most creditable place in business circles in this section of the state and as one of the pioneer settlers his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. There was no house here at the time of his arrival and he built the first dwelling in this section of the state. He can tell the story of every phase of frontier life in this locality by reason of personal experience and his reminiscences of the early days are most interesting. In the work of general improvement he has indeed been an important factor, realizing the opportunities before the district and at all times utilizing these opportunities in the best possible way for the upbuilding of the community as well as for the advancement of his individual success. Another proof of his patriotic and public spirit may be found in the fact that he is one of the organizers and is president of the One Hundred Per Cent American Club of Douglas, Wyoming.