Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-04-12

tending the Legislature last February.
was brought to this city, and never
recovered from the attack
a widow, who was Ann r. Roberts.
a native of WATERFORD, survives.
BenJamin Franklin Hamilton was
bern in WATERFORD. Me-, in 1910 and
was the son of the late BENJAMIN
Hamilton of thar town. His ances
tors were among the early settlers of
the district Of Maine and MANY of
them figured prominently in public
AFFAIRS Both of his grandfathers took
leading part in the Colonial strug-
gle for independence and among his
klhs'nen WAS Alexander Hamilton. the
distinguished statesman. His father
was an extensive and prosperous
farmer of Waterbcro noted for his
public spirit and high minded lib
erality.
The boyhood of BENJAMIN f. Hamil-
ton was passed u1~h the home farm
in WATERFORD. He attended the dts
trict schools and after passing some
time under their instruction and at
Parsonfield Academy and completing
course III the New Hampton, y. H.
Literary Institute he returned home
ard for a period of years succeeding
taught winter terms of school and
worked summers on the farm, mean
while operating q small industry of
his own in burning charcoal and SELL
ing it in the Portland. Saco and Bid
deford markets. He presided over
schools in various towns of York eoun-
ty. including kennebunk. WATERFORD
and Alfred; and In the latter town
tho county seat. where he taught four
wears. he planned to relinquish tho
occupation of pelagogue and began
the study Of law in the Office Of Ira
+. Drew
He applied himself earnestly to the
requirement of 'cSal knowledge for
three years under the preceptorsnip
of his able lawyer, and at the ox-
piration of this Zine in 1860 he was
admitted to the York county bar
After attending a course of lectures
at Harvard Law school he commenced
in 1861 the practice of law in Bidle-
ford, where he was for many years
located. He formed a law partnership
in 1867 with Samuel X. Hamilton,
cousin, under the firm name OF S. x.
& 3. F. Hamilton which partnership
continued until 49, when his cousin
Withdrew and moved to Boston Two
years later Charles w. Ross became
his partner and under the name of
Hamilton & Ross an extensive bust
ness was conducted until 1878 when
Mr.. Ross WAS appointed to the NUM-
cjpal bench. From 1883 to 1890 the
firm name was Hamilton and Haley,
MIR. Hamilton's associate being George
F. Haley. and in 1892 upon the adj
mission to the bar of his nephew and
former student, +. F.. Cleaves, the
firm of Hamilton and Cleaves was
| formed Mr.. Hamilton had resided
| for the past few .ears in Dayton, a
small town adjoining Biddeford.
| Mr.. Hamilton has beer for many
wears in public life both in York coun-
| ty and in the State. He had been SUI
pervisor of schools in his native town
of WATERFORD. city solicitor of Bid
| deforl for 1--WE years. member of the
| Riddeford board of assessors for six
Years. deputy sheriff Of York county
| member of the State Legislature in
| 1874. 1897, 1909 and 1911, and postmas
ter of Rddeford under the admins
| tration of President Grant.
| In politics he has always been an active
promoter and supporter of the principles
of the Republican party, had served a
two different periods upon the city ant
county Republican committee, and wa:
for eight years member of the Republi
can state committee during the TIM
| when James G. Blaine was at the heigh
| of his influence in shaping the destinie
&C the party
= was a member of the committee oil
legal affairs during his service in tn
Legislature in 1874. on judiciary in 1897
1 and on his first term in the Senate in 100
I he was made chairman of the committe
4 on legal affairs. He was a member of tn
committee on legal affairs in the presen
Continued on Page Tweive)