Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-10-26
GOV. HAMILTON DEAD!
The Life Of the Farmer, the Statesman
and Friend at an End.
He Passes Away Peacefully and Calmly
Especial to the Evening Capital

been lingering between life and death for
several days, and whose death has been
hourly looked for by his friends and
physicians, passed away peacefully and
quietly about noon to day.
Z IIIis family who had been apprised Of
his critical condition by his attending
physicians, were present at his bed side
when he passed away.
Flags on the public buildings are at
half.mast in honor of the dead statesman,
and general sorrow aud regret is depicted
on the faces of all eur citizens who held
him In high esteem. His death was
caused from blood poison and gangrene
OF the lungs.
Governor Hamilton was born in
Haserstown, on the 18th day OF Septem.
Der, 1920. His father aud mother died
when he was about eight years old, leav-
ing him in care of his uncle. He was
educated at Jefferson College. Pa. After
his college career he returned to Hsgers-
town, and entered the law office of Hon.
John Thompson Mason. lie was admitted
TO the Washington county bar ih 1s43,
and three years afterwards began his sue
cessful political career by being elected
upon the Democratic ticket to the House
of Delegates. The year following he was
again candidate for the same position,
but was defeated by Robert Fowler. who
was afterwards state treasurer. In 1S48 he
was one of the Cass electors, and in the
following year was elected to Congress-
In 1881 he was again elected to Congress.
Two years afterwards he was for the
third time returned to Congress. In this
contest he dafeated the Wing candidate
Hon. Francis Thomas By this time he
was recognized as the leading Democrat
In his congressional district. In 1866 he
was again called upon by his party to
stand for Congress. Against his wishes
he accepted the nomination, but on ac-
count of the sudden growth of the Know.
Nothing party, Its candidate. Hon. Henry
Hoffman, now Judge Hoffman, of Cum.
berland, was successful. Mr.. Hamilton
was urged to accept the Democratic nomi-
=
nation for governor in 1851, but he refus-
ed to allow his name to 60 before the con-
vention. During the war he virtually
retired from politics and gave his atten-
ton 10 large and growing legal practice.
After the adoption of the constitution
of 1867 he was candidate for the nomi-
nation for governor against Hon. Oden
Bowie, who defeated him by majority
of one.
At the close of the war of the rebellion
he once more became prominent in Yves.
tern Maryland politics, and in 1868 he
was elected United States Senator from
this state to succeed Hon. VIM. p. Whyte
his term beginning on the 4th Of March,
1869. lie was succeeded in the Senate by
Hen. VIM. Pinkney Whyte, who was
elected while governor.
In 1876 he was candidate for Cover
nor, but was defeated in the Baltimore
convention by Hon. John Lee Carroll, af-
ter an exciting all-night contest in the
Maryland Institute. Hamilton was unan-
imously nominated for governor in 1879,
aud was elected by majority of over
% 900.
After the expiration of his term as
governor, Mr.. Hamilton was not can
didate for any political office.
The greatest local improvement Of his
enterprise was the erection of the Hotel
Hamilton, which compares favorably In
size and appointments to many first class
houses in larger places. He has been fer
years the president of the Hagerstown
Bank, the Rose Hill Cemetery. the Hag-
erstown Steam Engine Works and various
other local corporations. He was also
president of the Board of Street Commis-
sioners Of uagerstown. Mr.. Hamilton in
herited fortune from his uacle. aud this.
together with the inheritance of the wife
and what he accumulated by his own bus.
mess sagacity, made him the the wealth
lest individuals In Washington county
He married back 10 the fiftles, Miss Clara
Jenness. of Portsmouth. n. a., whom he
first metin Washington, her father and
he being at the time In CongIess. He
has wife and six children-two sons and
four daughters.
The flag on the State House was hoist
ed at half mast this afternoon on the re-
cert of the news Of his death in Annapo
lis, by order of the Secretary of Stale.
Circuit Court.
The Circuit Court convened this morn
ing at 10 o'clock with Judges Jones and