JAMES EDWARD HAMILTON

J. E. Hamilton Dies
J. E. Hamilton, 88, Two Rivers industrialist and founder of the Hamilton
Manufacturing Company died today at Pasadena, Calif.
Mr. Hamilton was born in Two Rivers in 1852 and was educated in schools of
Two Rivers and Lockport, N.Y. He married Etta Shove in 1880. He organized
the Hamilton Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of wood type, which became
one of the largest plants of its kind in the world.
He retired from active participation in the firm’s affairs several years ago.
Several years ago he gave the $250,000 Hamilton Community House to the city
of Two Rivers. He served as alderman in 1888 and was mayor from 1893 to 1895.
He is survived by a son, George Hamilton.
The body will not be brought to Two Rivers until June.
Manitowoc Herald Times, May 7, 1940 P. 1
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Funeral Services For J.E. Hamilton Thursday.
Body Will Be Brought To Two Rivers In July For Interment
TWO RIVERS (Special)—Funeral services for J. E. Hamilton, 87, industrialist
and public benefactor, will be held Thursday at Pasadena, Calif., where he
died Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock. In compliance with an oft-repeated wish,
Mr. Hamilton’s body will be brought here in July for interment in Pioneer’s
Rest cemetery.
Mr. Hamilton died in his suite at the Hotel Vista del Arroyo at Pasadena. He
had been in failing health for some time. Mrs. Ruby Ellis of Manitowoc, daughter
of the late Joseph Koenig, an early associate of Mr. Hamilton, visited him early
in April and found the aged industrialist alert and able to take care of his
personal correspondence despite failing health.
Retired in 1919
Since 1919 Mr. Hamilton had retired in Pasadena but until a few years ago made
an annual visit to Two Rivers. He was last here two summers ago. Mrs. Etta Shove
Hamilton, his wife, died Nov. 12, 1934. The survivors are a son, George S.
Hamilton of Grants Pass, Ore., and a grandson, John Sweeney Hamilton, a rancher
at Tyrone, N.M.
Mr. Hamilton was founder of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company. Beginning the
manufacture of wood type in a backyard workshop, Mr. Hamilton built his firm
into one of the nation’s largest industries, and remained head of the company
from 1880 until his retirement in 1919. He was chairman of the board of the
Aluminum Goods Manufacturing company. Mr. Hamilton provided J.E. Koenig with
free factory space and electricity to begin the manufacture of aluminum combs,
an idea which led to the organization of the Aluminum Goods company.
Mr. Hamilton was connected with countless enterprises in the community. He
helped establish the first telephone exchange, aided in the founding of the Two
Rivers Coal company and reorganized the Bank of Two Rivers.
He will be best remembered for his community benefactions and civic spirit. The
J. E. Hamilton Community House, which cost more than a quarter of a million
dollars, was his biggest single benefaction but hospitals, schools and churches
of the community and county bear witness to his great generosity. Among his many
contributions were those to the Washington high school for a swimming pool, the
St. Mark’s parochial school, a large subscription to the Municipal hospital,
annual support to the Wisconsin Y.M.C.A. and Grace Congregational church, of
which he was a member for nearly a lifetime.
Mayor For 2 Years
Mr. Hamilton served as mayor from 1893 to 1895 and as a member of the old
municipal light and water commission, was responsible for the construction of
the lake intake. Mr. Hamilton became affiliated with the Masonic order in his
early manhood and was one of the first masters of the Two Rivers lodge F. &. A.M.
No. 200. He was a member of the Manitowoc chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Manitowoc
commandery, Knights Templar; the Wisconsin consistory of 32nd degree Masons; and
with Tripoli temple Milwaukee Shriners. He was a charter member of the Elks lodge,
which a number of years ago presented him with a life membership; and was an
honorary member of both the Rotary club and the American Legion.
Mr. Hamilton was the son of Henry Carter and Diantha Jane Smith Hamilton. He was
born May 19, 1852, in a little frame cottage near the Berner’s estate on 15th and
Jefferson streets. “J.E.” was only 10 years old when his father enlisted in the
Union army. On April 4, 1864, news of the death of Lieut. Hamilton reached Two
Rivers. He left a widow and four young children. The Duties of “Breadwinner” fell
on J. F. Hamilton as a lad of 14. His first job was as a newspaper carrier boy.
Later he became a cash boy in a drygoods store for $3 a week. At 17 he became a
lathe hand in the Mann brothers pail factory and after two years was a full fledged
engineer. Using a brick yard engine as a power plant, he went into business for
himself manufacturing wall brackets and other odds and ends of furniture that might
be constructed or ornamented with wood scroll work. After the gold rush fever had
been disposed of, Mr. Hamilton returned to work in wood working factories and at
27 launched the business that was to make him wealthy, the manufacture of wooden
printing equipment. He sawed out his first pieces of type the words, “Grand Ball
at Turner Hall” for William F. Nash, publisher of the old weekly Chronicle, on a
foot-power scroll saw in a little workroom in his mother’s cottage. The business
soon expanded. The Hamilton Manufacturing company was incorporated Jan. 1, 1889
with an authorized capital of $50,000 and a paid capital of $30,000?? In January,
1920, it was reorganized.
Manitowoc Herald Times, May 8, 1940 P. 13
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TRIBUTE PAID J.E. HAMILTON
Memorial Services Conducted At Community House
TWO RIVERS (Special)—Memorial services for J.E. Hamilton were held this afternoon
at the Hamilton Community House, the structure Mr. Hamilton donated to the city.
The seating capacity of the large auditorium was taxed for the memorial services,
held at the same time as services at Pasadena, Calif.
A selection by the Hamilton Band opened the services after which City Manager E.J.
Donnelly spoke for the city administration. August Fanslau, speaking for civic and
fraternal organizations of the city, was the next speaker. Thomas Napiecinski,
Washington high school senior, speaking for youth, followed and then George Klatt,
representing Hamilton employes gave a short talk. President H.C. Gowran of the
firm Mr. Hamilton founded in 1881 spoke for the firm.
Superintendent F.G. Bishop, representing the city at large, was the final speaker
on the program at which Recreation Director A. P. Eckley acted as chairman. A
selection by the Hamilton band followed and then the Rev. T. A. Hawkes of Grace
Congregational church offered the closing prayer.
Officers of the Elks lodge acted as ushers during the services.
The entire city paused during the time of the memorial services, those places not
already closed at 4 p.m. arranging to close at that time in compliance with a
proclamation issued by vice-president of the city council, Alfred Zoerb, yesterday.
Manitowoc Herald Times, May 9, 1940 P. 21
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HOLD SERVICE FOR HAMILTON
Public Memorial Conducted At Time of Funeral In West
TWO RIVERS (Special) Personal, civic, fraternal and humanitarian activities of
the late J.E. Hamilton were lauded yesterday afternoon by speakers of public
memorial services at the Community House which he donated to the city.
The memorial services for the 87 year old founder of the Hamilton firm here who
died in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday, were held at 4 o’clock and were largely
attended. The time of the services coincided with the time of the regular funeral
services held in Pasadena.
His body will be brought here for interment in July.
Speakers on the program represented the city administration, civic and fraternal
organizations, youth, Hamilton employes, Hamilton management and the community at
large. Recreation Director Arthur P. Eckley acted as chairman. The program was
opened and closed with selections by the Hamilton band. The Rev. T. A. Hawkes
offered the closing prayer.
Manitowoc Herald Times, May 10, 1940 P. 12
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HAMILTON TO BE INTERRED
Industrialist To Be Buried In Pioneer’s Rest
TWO RIVERS (Special)—The request of the late J.E. Hamilton that he be buried in
Two Rivers at the time of the year when the natural beauty of the community is at
its height will be fulfilled tomorrow.
The body of the philanthropist and founder of the Hamilton Manufacturing company
who died at Pasadena, Calif., May 7, as he neared his 88th birthday, will be
interred in the family plot in Pioneers’ Rest cemetery at 3:45 Wednesday afternoon.
Funeral services will be conducted at the cemetery by the Two Rivers lodge of Masons,
with Past Master Heber Clayton in charge. Mr. Hamilton was one of the early
worshipful masters of the local order.
The body will arrive shortly before the cemetery services. Pallbearers will be
H.C. Gowran, W. G. Dickson, H.G. Evans, Frank Kaufman, Charles Krause and Arthur H.
Lohman.
Those from away to attend the services will be Mr. and Mrs. George S. Hamilton of
Grant’s Pass, Or., Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton of Tyrne, New Mexico, and Hubbard
Hamilton of Detroit Lakes, Minn., the latter a son of the late George D. Hamilton,
brother of the deceased community builder.
Plants of the Hamilton Manufacturing company will close during the period of services,
officials of the firm announced this morning.
Having spent the summers in Two Rivers after his retirement some 20 years ago from
active interest in the Hamilton Manufacturing company, it was this time of the year
here that Mr. Hamilton loved best. Shortly before his death he requested that his
remains be brought back for burial during July. Public memorial services were held
on May 9 at the Community House, which in 1931 he donated to the city.
Manitowoc Herald Times, July 9, 1940 P. 13
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(More can be found about the Hamilton history