Edward L. Hamilton
Dec. 1833-March 11, 1876
Niles Republican, Thursday, March 16, 1876, page 3, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Edward L. Hamilton
All last week the people of this part of the county were anxiously concerned abut the serious illness of Edward L. Hamilton, and on Saturday afternoon when his death was announced after a brief sickness of just one week, there was evidence of general and deep regret over the loss of one who will be sorely missed by every class of our citizens. Mr. Hamilton was but forty-two years old at the time of his death, and had been regarded as an unusually robust and sound man, but having inherited inflammatory rheumatism, from an attack of which he barely escaped with his life two years ago, he was an easy pray to disease. Mr. Hamilton was a native of New York, but came here with his father in his boyhood and he grew up in and with this community. He was a man of marked individuality, possessing positive qualities in every direction. He had no negative traits. He was a man of winning social qualities. Noble and generous hearted, he drew to him ardent friends in great number, and held them with firm and unyielding hold. He knew everybody and everybody knew him, and few men of his positiveness had fewer enemies. He was in sympathy with everything that was good, and with nothing that he regarded bad. He loved to make those about him happy, and was successful in this direction to an unusual degree, with the old, the middle aged, and the young. His funeral took place from the Presbyterian Church, on Monday, Rev. Dr. Eddy officiating. The attendance was unusually large, and the feeling unusually deep. Mr. Hamilton leaves a wife and one son, who have the deep and heartfelt sympathy of a large circle of friends.
Niles Democrat, Saturday, March 18, 1876, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Edward L. Hamilton
It is our painful duty to announce this week the death of Edward L. Hamilton, whose decease occurred at his residence three miles north of this city, on Saturday, March 11th. Born in Bruton, N.Y., in December, 1833, he came to Michigan with his father when very young, settling near the then village of Niles, where he lived until 1856, when he married and purchased a part of the old Lardner farm, and has resided there ever since--adding now and then, as his means allowed, to his property, and supplying with every needed improvement. He was a remarkable man, his faults and virtues standing out in bold relief. No man had a fuller since of ridiculous, or was fonder of fun and innocent frolic than Mr. Hamilton. His wit and humor were inexhaustible, flowing from him constantly in social intercourse. He was conspicuously honest, just and honorable--a man of great kindness of heart. His purity and uprightness as a man, both in public and private relations, were never called in question. In all his dealings he was especially distinguished for his love of justice and for his strong, practical sense. Those who knew him intimately for the past twenty years, speaking from personal observation of his character as a man and citizen, and his fidelity as a friend, say that his real character fully sustained his high reputation, and bear testimony of his inexorable firmness in the right. He hated anything like trickery, yet, with all his firmness, he was mild and genial, so it was impossible not to love and respect him. His genial manners, his warm heart and his sterling virtues as a man made him many friends and secured for him a universal esteem among the citizens of his section, with whom he had so long associated.
Edward Hamilton was ever loyal to Christian principles. He was a member of the Congregational Church of his city, until it ceased to exist, and although a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church, he had not united with it. Yet he was a good man and was regarded by all. Berrien county can boast of no more noble or upright citizen, or one whose death will be more universally deplored.
The funeral services were attended by a large concourse of people on Monday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church--Rev. Dr. Eddy's sermon was an eloquent eulogy on the deceased. St. Joseph Valley Lodge, No. 4 was present in a body. The ceremonies both of the church and the grave, the latter being conducted by the Masons, James M. Babcock, W.M., were imposing and highly impressive.
Seldom has there been a funeral so largely attended in this city, and seldom has so deep a feeling of sadness pervaded the community as on this occasion.
