Representative John Taylor Hamilton View All Years

HON. JOHN T. HAMILTON

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorative of the life, character and public service of the Honorable John T. Hamilton, late of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, beg leave to report the following:

John T. Hamilton was born in Henry County, Illinois, October 16, 1843. His parents were James S. and Mary Taylor Hamilton. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Geneseo, Illinois, and in Geneseo Academy. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Sara Ann Jones of St. Andrews, Canada.

Mr. Hamilton commenced his business career as a solicitor of fire insurance, which he followed for three years, and on February 2, 1868, he removed to Cedar Rapids, representing a Chicago reaper company, but later in the year formed a partnership under the firm name of Averill & Hamilton, dealers in farm machinery and implements. In 1873 John R. Amidon purchased the Averill interests and the firm then became Hamilton & Amidon. In 1891 Mr. Hamilton’s brothers, W. W. and Porter Hamilton, purchased Mr. Amidon’s interest, at which time the firm became known as Hamilton Brothers and was one of the leading business institutions in Cedar Rapids for more than twenty years. Before this time, however, in 1883, the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank was organized, with Mr. Hamilton as President, which position he retained for thirty-five years, when he disposed of his interest in that institution, having in 1898 purchased a controlling interest in the Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids and became its President. He was Chairman of the Board of the latter institution at the time of his death, as well as a director in several other business concerns of the city.

Mr. Hamilton was mayor of Cedar Rapids in 1878, and a member of the Linn County Board of Supervisors in 1882-4. In 1885 he was elected State Representative, and re-elected in 1887 and 1889, serving in the Twenty-first, Twenty-second, and Twenty-third General Assemblies. In the Twenty-third General Assembly occurred the famous deadlock when the House failed to organize for over a month and when finally Mr. Hamilton was elected Speaker. In 1890 he was elected to the Fifty-second Congress, defeating the Republican nominee, George R. Struble. Upon the death of L. G. Kinne, a member of the Board of Control of State Institutions, Governor Cummins appointed Mr. Hamilton to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Mr. Kinne’s term, and appointed him for a full six-year term, beginning April 5, 1908, but he resigned October 1, 1909. In 1914 Mr. Hamilton was the Democratic candidate for Governor but was defeated by Governor George W. Clarke who was running for his second term.

Mr. Hamilton was an active worker in all bodies of the Masonic order, and a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids.

Mr. Hamilton passed away at his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, January 24, 1925, and in his death the state has lost a useful citizen. His life and public services were of high character and he will be remembered as an ideal patriot, citizen, neighbor and friend. He is survived by his wife, one son, James, one daughter, Mrs. Robert S. Cook, and six grandchildren.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in the passing of the Honorable John T. Hamilton, the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen, whose fidelity to duty, faithfulness in every public and private trust, and splendid character should be an inspiration to all for a higher ideal in life.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House as an expression of the life and worth of the deceased, and copies thereof be transmitted to his family.

WM. H. STEPANEK,

E. A. GRIMWOOD,

T. L. WOLFE,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted March 30, 1925.