Honorable E.L. Hamilton
Dec. 7, 1857-Nov. 2, 1923
Niles Daily Star-Sun, Saturday, November 3, 1923, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
City Mourns Death of Hamilton
FAVORITE SON TO BE LAID TO REST ON SUNDAY
Tributes From Men Of High and Low Degree Heard on All Sides
With lack of pomp and circumstance, with freedom from artificial ornament and pretentious style, so frequently in evidence at ceremonials for men of high rank, the last sad rites at the funeral of the late Congressman E. L. Hamilton, favorite son of Niles, will be marked by simplicity. This will be in keeping with that temper, characteristic of this illustrious former citizen, which places a moderate or low estimate on one's own worth and importance. Absence of self-assertion , arrogance or presumption was conspicuous in the make-up of this beloved son of Niles, whose perfect freedom form excess or exaggeration, as well as his purity of thought and manner; his due regard for propriety in speech and action, won the hearts of all with whom he came into contact.
This simplicity will make the services to be conducted at the Presbyterian church by the Rev. H.T. Scherer at 2 :30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, when citizens of the city, the county and the fourth congressional district will assemble to pay a silent tribute to the memory of the dead. The church choir will sing some of the late Mr. Hamilton's favorite hymns, and at the conclusion of the service the funeral cortege will wend it pensive way to Silver Brook cemetery, the "silent city," where lie many dear friends of Mr. Hamilton, who have gone on before. And here 'neath the branches of the mighty oaks, the remains of one of God's noblemen will be "within their narrow cell forever laid." But his soul will go marching on.
Friends desiring to view the body may call at the home between the hours of 3 and 5 o'clock this afternoon, 7 and 9 o'clock this evening or from 10 to 12 o'clock tomorrow.
Expired Suddenly
Hon E. L. Hamilton of Niles, retired congressman from the Fourth district of Michigan, expired suddenly and unexpectedly at St. Joseph sanitarium at 10:35 o'clock Friday morning after having under went a major operation Wednesday.
The former representative's death was due to acute dilation of the heart, it was stated officially at the sanitarium.
End Without Warning
Mr. Hamilton, who served this part of Michigan in the federal House of Representatives for 24 years, was thought to be out of danger early yesterday morning. The operation was completed with apparent success on Wednesday, and Thursday the patient's condition was reported as satisfactory. Early yesterday Mr. Hamilton displayed no signs of the approaching crisis in his condition. The end came without warning.
Shock to County
Mr. Hamilton's sudden death came as a great shock to the whole county, and in fact the entire fourth Congressional district. His long congressional record had given him an acquaintance in his home county that probably exceeded that of any other man and when the news of his sudden demise became known to his intimate acquaintances they could hardly credit it.
The word that "E.L." had passed on at first was discredited. But when the death was officially confirmed the whole city was plunged into mourning.
Mr. Hamilton was a Niles boy and the town was proud of him and his achievements at Washington.
Heart Action Good
Dr. T.G. Yeomann, who performed the operation, said that until the patient's sudden turn for the worse yesterday, he had never operated on a patient for a similar cause who apparently came through so success-
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fully. Prior to the operation, Mr. Hamilton's heart action had been thoroughly tested. This organ to all indications was as normal as that of a healthy man of 25 years. At 8:20 yesterday morning Mr. Hamilton greeted the physician and expressed himself as relieved that the operation was over.
Has No Immediate Relatives
Mr. Hamilton is survived by no immediate relatives. A cousin, Mrs. E.B. Storms, resides here, as well as a sister-in-law, Miss Frances Eddy. Another sister-in-law, Mrs. Charles S. Weaver, is a resident of Chicago.
Miss Eddy, with Thomas C. Hance, former private secretary and a close friend of the deceased, arrived at the sanitarium within an hour after Mr. Hamilton's death occurred. They were joined by Frank L. Hall, county clerk, also for years private secretary to the deceased. The county clerk, as well as Mr. Hance and Miss Eddy, were grief-stricken.
Judge While is Shocked
Circuit Judge Charles E. White, another intimate friends of the deceased, was deeply shocked when he learned of the unexpected demise of the ex-congressman.
Mr. Hamilton 66
Mr. Hamilton was 66 years of age, and was a product of Berrien county having been born in Niles township on Dec. 9th, 1857. His youth was spent in Niles, where after leaving the public schools, he took up the study of law in the office of Judge Henry H. Coolidge, father of the late Orville W. Coolidge, of Niles, circuit judge for 18 years and who died in 1913. Mr. Hamilton was admitted to the practice of law in 1884. He was a practicing lawyer in Niles until he went to Congress.
Went to Congress in '96
He was first elected to Congress from this district, in 1896. For 24 years he stayed there. His first Congress was the 55th. Four years ago next March, in 1920, he retired voluntarily. Eight years ago, Mrs. Hamilton to whom he was greatly devoted, died after a long illness and the congressman after that sorrowful event seemed to lose interest in things. He desired to quit the congressional service and communicated his wishes to his friends. But they urged him to stay, believing that he would forget his sorrows in work. He did stay for two terms--four years beyond the time that he had planned to leave. In the winter of 1920 he officially announced that he would not be a candidate again.
John C. Ketcham, of Hastings, present congressman, won the 1920 primary and since has represented this district in the lower House.
Judge White Promptly adjourned circuit court yesterday afternoon in token of the Berrien County Bar association's tribute to the late Mr. Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton was the first of the veteran members of the House to go back to private life. Since he retired a number of House notables have left Washington, including Congressman Fordney, of Michigan, and "Uncle Joe" Cannon of Illinois. Both were cronies of Mr. Hamilton's.
When he retired Mr. Hamilton was the dean of the Michigan congressional delegation. Fordney alone stood next to him in point of years of Michigan service.
Kept Out of Politics
Mr. Hamilton kept out of politics after he left Washington. He refused to appear at public meetings, contenting himself with attending to the duties of his farm, near Niles.
Was Noted Orator
Mr. Hamilton was prominently known in Republican national councils as well as in Michigan. He was a natural-born orator and this ability marked and recognized was frequently drafted by the Republican national committee. With no opposition at home in his campaigns--some years ago the Democrats of the Fourth district endorsed him--he [illegible] of the national campaign.
"Send Hamilton" was frequently heard about national campaign headquarters when a particularly close race was on in some district. His oratory and persuasive eloquence never failed to win votes.
Added States to Union
There are stars in the Stars and Strips because of Mr. Hamilton's congressional labors. For many years he was chairman of the House committee on territories and in this service on that committee he participated in the enactment of legislation which resulted in the annexation of Hawaii. he introduced and put through the enabling acts by which Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico became states. He was the only man in Congress who had the unique record of being father of three states. He helped form the organic act for Alaska and also for the Philippine Islands and Porto Rico. As a member of the interstate and foreign commerce committee he helped pass the act that established the government of the Canal zone known as the Panama Canal act.
Mr. Hamilton was a deep student of governmental and economic problems and in the House his speeches on these subjects attracted much attention.
Mr. Hamilton was modest to a degree that friends who watched his career declared was a positive injury to his own public advancement. Several times he was mentioned and even boosted as a candidate for United States senator. At the time that William Alden Smith of Grand Rapids was first elected it was said that an aggressive campaign would have put Mr. Hamilton in the Senate. But he never pushed himself. He believed in letting the honors come to him instead of going out and pushing some one else aside.
The Congressional Directory carries the biographies of all members of Congress and the subject matter is always furnished by the congressmen and the senators. But Mr. Hamilton used only two lines to tell about himself. All that the Directory ever said of Niles' congressman was, "Edward L. Hamilton, Republican, of Niles; admitted to the bar in 1884; elected to the Fifty-fifth and each succeeding Congress."
Such was the natural modesty of the man.
Mr. Hamilton was beloved by a great number of friends and acquaintances. He probably had fewer enemies than any man who ever remained in congress almost 25 years. Fair and impartial in his dealings, kindly, considerate of others, he carried on through a successful public [Illegible] almost every succeeding campaign saw him elected with a constantly increasing majority, so popular was he with his constituency.
Two of Mr. Hamilton's closest friends were those who were intimately associated with him at Washington, his secretaries, T. C. Hance, cashier of the Niles City bank, and Frank Hall, Benton Harbor, present county clerk. Mr. Hall succeeded Mr. Hance. Both secretaries became affectionately attached to him. Both are grief stricken because of his passing.
