The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-09-18
D. B. HA A II DIES
IN 81. Louis, NO.
We'll Known keokuk 1usiness Man
answers Call After Illness
Of Several Weeks
Duration.
HERE SINCE YEAR 1852
aodv viii Arrive From st. Louis
Thi. Evening and be Taken to
the Home-Horn In
Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania.
Major David B. Hamill, one of Keo-
kuk's representative business men
and church men. died at st. Lakes
hospital in St. Louis, Missouri Sun
day evening at $40 o'clock. after an
illness of several weeks. Mr.. Hamill
was 70 years OF age.
The body has been sent to Keokuk
and will arrive here this evening. 1t
will be taken to the home at COB
Morgan street.
Major Hamilps death was not I'M
expected, but. nevertheless, has been
noted with sincere regret throughout
the city. The last four weeks had
been grim battle for life with very
little hope for recovery. An operation
performed Immediately upon his ar
rival at st. Luke's, revealed his true
condition, and those nearest him
knew that it was but a matter Of time
until the end would come.
Major Hamill had been In failing
health for the last several months
but at first it was not believed that
his condition was serious. Nothing
worse than run down condition OF
his system was suspected. His physt
clan ordered him to take an extended
rest and about six weeks ago he went
to Winnetka, Michigan. where he re-
NAMED two weeks in an attempt 10
recuperate. His condition did not i'm.
prove and he was advised to go to ST.
Louis to undergo an operation.
u - L
Taken to 81. Louis.
He entered st. Luke's about four
weeks ago. After lingering in SER
ious condition since that time. death
came to him last evening at $40
o'clock. Liver trouble was the cause
Of the demise. His wife and son,
Smith Hamill, were at his bedside at
the time OF his death.
The news OF Major HamiIl's deatn
has been received here with profound
regret. The consensus OF opinion in
Keokuk Is that there has been no one
who has done more and contributed
more in the interest of keokuk and
Keokuk people than has the decedent.
Major Hamill has been interested
and has given active assistance In
practically every public enterprise in
the last half century and there is no
one better known In the business
world for his honesty and integrity,
or in social or church circles OF the
city than the decendent, and his many
friends are today honoring his mem
DRY, knowing that one has gone on
who has always stood for the best in
the community.
Greatly Admired.
Major Hamill has always been ad-
mired for his simplicity of manner,
the purity of his motives, his kind
ness to his fellowmen and his public
spirited patriotism. By his activities
ne has helped bring honor to Keokuk,
and in just reward is honored by
all who knew him. He was always
Just and kind, determined but gentle,
and while he was most exacting in
passing judgment upon any of his own
actions. he was lenient in judging
those of his fellowmen, and was ever
ready to extend a helping hand to
those who sought his help.
Outside OF his business and church
work, the one thing In which the de-
cedent was vitality interested, was
military preparedness. From a boy
in the schools up until the time of
his death, his interest was always
conferred in things military and his
friends could always count on him to
De heart and soul in any movement
OF military nature.
Born In Pennsylvania.
Major David Brown Hamill belong
ed to one of the old and honored fam
HES of Lee county and had been a
resident here nearly twO-thfrds of a
century He was born in Mount Jack.
son, Pennsylvania. on April Is, 1S43,
the son of the late Honorable Smith
Hamill and Nancy (McCandless)
Hamill He came west to Lee county
with his parents in early childhood
and since the year 1852 has been a
resident OF Keok,,k.
He first attended a private school
IN this city taught by the late Colonel
terrence. 1t was here that he got
MS first touch of military training.
Colonel Terrence impressed the boys
OF the school with the importance OF
military drill, which created a lasting
impression in his youthful mind.
While quite young he was appointed
cadet to West Point by the congress
man from this district but was pre-
vented from accepting the honor be.
cause OF illness at the time. This
was something of disappointment
to him.
Drilled Military Companies.
he served in the civil war. but be-
lore leaving for the front drilled
many OF the companies going to war,
IN military tactics. Major HamilPs
service in this respect is fittingly told
IN the following quotation taken from
an address delivered before the sur.
vivors OF the 10Th regiment at this
city several years ago:
1T will be remembered by the
members of Company A that one who
was mere boy then, gave us sub
stantial aid il the matter of drills.
! refer to Major d. B. Hamill, who
pears an honored name in your city"
His Later Schooling.
Alter leaving Colonel Torrenco's