Anderson County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1894
BENJAMIN F. HAMILTON. Here and
there among the fertile farms of Kansas
may be found quiet, retiring people of both
sexes who have found peace and contentment in the surroundings of a retired home. Such
has been the case with the subject of our sketch,
who resides in Lincoln Township, Anderson County, where he has made his home since 1875. His
father, Rufus Hamilton, was born in Waterborough, Me., in 1801, to John Hamilton and his wife.
John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and
died at the great age of ninety-four years. The
mother of our subject was Mary Orne in her
single life, and was born in 1799 in Gray, Me.,
where she was married. Her father was David
Orne, who was of Scottish ancestry.
After the marriage of our subject's parents they
settled in Gray, where they lived for some time,
and then moved to Portland; they remained there
only for a short period, and then located in Aroostook County. They lived in that county until
1848, at which time they found a suitable location
in the town of Grand Detour, Ill., where the
mother died in 1856. The father then returned
to Maine, and lived in Saco until the time of his
demise. Following are the names of the children
born to Rufus and Mary (Orne) Hamilton: Benjamin F., Royal G., William W. and James T.
Our subject was born in Gray, Me., September
13, 1823, and spent the first seven years in his
native place. When his parents moved to Aroostook
County he accompanied them, and there
lived on his father's farm until he reached his majority, in the meantime acquiring some little
knowledge of blacksmithing from his father, who
was a follower of that trade. When he reached
his twenty-first year he went to Grand Detour,
Ill., in Ogle County, and was there employed in
the Deere Plow shops, later accepting a like position in Dixon, Ill., which he held until coming to
Kansas. For twelve years prior to his coming to
Anderson County he was engineer for the company in whose employ he had been for so long,
and to which he had been a valuable workman.
When he came to this county he settled on section 27, in Lincoln Township, where he has been
engaged in farming and stock-raising ever since.
Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage in Grand
Detour, May 9, 1856, to Miss Margaret Harkness,
who was born in Newburgh, N. Y., December 31,
1835. Their union has been blessed by the birth
of four children: Mary O., the wife of F. Hayes;
William, who married Lizzie Smith; Lillie, widow
of the late Henry Corman; and Jennie, who is also
married. Our subject has filled the office of School
Director, and is very much interested in all things
looking toward the improvement of his section.
He is an energetic, honest, progressive and upright
citizen and ranks high in the community.
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Anderson Co. KHHP
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