Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1914-10-09
JN0, 7. HAMILTON
CIVIC BUILDER AND
TRUE PROGRESSIVE
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY cANDI.
DATE FOR GOVERNOR is FORE.
MOST CITIZEN AND LEADING
BUILDER OF CEDAR RAPIDS.
ASSISTED IN ENTERPRISES

Record of Democratic Nominee 10 Such
az to Stamp Him as One Of the Most
Progressive Citizens Of the State.
John T. Hamilton, democratic nom
inee for governor, was born In Ill
nois, acquiring a high school and
seminary education in his native state,
He went to Cedar Rapids as travel
ing representative for the G.. II. NC
Cormick Reaper Company. Anxious
to engage in business on his own &C
count, he formed partnership, under
the firm style of Averill u Hamilton,
and on the list of October, 1865, en-
tered the agricultural implement bust
ness, thus laying foundation for the
extensive enterprise of Hamilton
Bros, which was one of the largest
houses of it's kind in Iowa. In the
fall Of 1873 Mr.. Averill sold his inter-
ests to the late John R. Amidon, a
banker from Blairstown, and the style
of the firm became Hamilton & Amid
on. In 1891, Mr.. Hamilton's brothers,
W. Wand Porter Hamilton, acquired
Mr.. Amidon's interest in the business
which was conducted under the firm
name of Hamilton Bros, until few
years since, when after the death OF
both brothers, the Hamilton Seed and
Coal Company was formed, Of which
the subject of this sketch Is now
president. The Hamilton Bros. was
one of the most widely known i'm
plement firms in the west. They built
and occupied commodious brick
block 12Ox120 feet, four stories and
basement splendid structure in
which they handled farm machinery.
wagons, b,,ggies, binder twine, seeds
and coal, doing an extensive business
throughout the west and northwest.
Hamilton as Banker.
Not only was Mr.. Hamilton instru-
mental in promoting and developing
the extensive commercial enterprise
of Hamilton Bros, wholesalers and
retailers of farm implements, buggies,
wagons, coal and seeds, but has also
been one of the active promoters Of
financial interests in the city. In
May, 1883, on the organization of the
Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, the first
institution OF its kind in Cedar Rap
ids, Mr.. Hamilton was chosen it's
president and has remained its chief
executive all through the years to the
present day. This is the largest saw
ings bank in Cedar Rapids, with de-
posts of more than $2,5OO,0O0.
He is now and has been for four
teen years past, the president and d.
recting head Of the Merchants Ma
tional bank, the strongest institution
Of its kind in Cedar Rapids, whose
resources total above S6,OOO,000; and
besides his activities in these lines
he Is interested in various other en-.
terprises, in all Of which he has kept
abreast with rapid development, yet
tempering the progressive spirit with
that conservatism that assured safety
as well as success.
Mr.. Hamilton az Builder.
Mr.. Hamilton has been builder"
in the truest sense and Cedar Rapids
has profited largely from his being
connected with institutions which have
become big and substantial. AS con-
crete examples: The great Cedar
Rapids Savings Bank and Office build
;ng-the greatest office building in
Cedar Rapids today, was the first six
story building erected in this city.
This is the bank Of which Mr.. Hamil-
ton has been president thirty-one
years. The great wholesale building
OF Hamilton Bros. is another evidence
of his being BUILDER" and there are
others of less Importance now but
considered structures Of the best at
earlier periods. Mr.. Hamilton was one
of the promoters and builders Of the
Montrose Hotel, the finest hostelry
in Central Iowa: for years he was
president of the Cedar Rapids Elec-
trio Light and Power company, carry
ing it through the Improbable years,
and developing its power and steam
heating business and succeeding in
placing it upon sound financial basis
before retiring as its chief executive
OUlceF. he pant WAS tHe OASIS lOE
the Iowa Railway and Light Company,
now operating electric railways from
Cedar Rapids to Iowa City and to Mt.
Vernon, at Marshalltown, Tama and
in Iowa. In fact no enter |
prise of moment in Cedar Rapids has
been promoted for many years that
Mr.. Hamilton did not assist with |
means as we'll as good counsel.
Mr.. Hamilton's ability, counsel and |
service was sought along other lines /
honorary-to which he
gave the same splendid service with
out hope Of reward. He was chair
man Of the building committee which |
erected the Free Public Library,
which, including site, cost $4,000; the |
entire appropriation was expended.
But NO MORE, and the building was
complete and every dollar paid. Mr..
Hamilton, with MessrA. c. B. Soutter |
and L. J. Palda, constituted the first |