The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 322
A portrait of Edgar Hamilton appears in this publication.

WILLIAM C. HAMILTON.

That Illinois enterprise has taken advantage of the opportunities of the
northwest is indicated in the fact that many of the now substantial and
progressive citizens of the Yakima valley have come to this district from the
Prairie state and are now most loyal and enthusiastic residents of this section.
Among the number is William C. Hamilton, who is now successfully engaged in
fruit raising upon an excellent property two and a half miles west of Yakima.
He was born in Eureka, Illinois, April 13, 1857, a son of William and Mary
(Hunter) Hamilton, both of whom were natives of Ireland, but were married in New
York. At an early period in the development of Illinois they established their
home within the borders of that state and spent their remaining days there. The
father was a stonemason and thus provided for the support of his family.

William C. Hamilton, when his textbooks were put aside, started out in the
business world as a clerk in a grocery store and carefully saved his earnings
until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him
to engage in the grocery business on his own account at Eureka, Illinois. He
afterward conducted a store of that kind at Colfax, Illinois, but in 1905
disposed of his interests in the middle west and came to Yakima county. Here he
purchased land two and a half miles west of Yakima and has planted it all to
fruit. He has ten acres in pears and his is one of the finest orchards in the
valley. Everything about his place is neat and well cared for and a spirit of
enterprise and progressiveness has actuated him in all that he has undertaken.
He is also owner of a fine nursery and sells all varieties of fruit trees,
selected from the best stock. He has specialized in fine Anjou pears and these
have proven very successful in this section of the country. He belongs to the
Yakima Fruit Growers Association, of which he is a director, and he is also a
member of the Yakima County Horticultural Union.

On October 27, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Emma
Chambers, of Illinois, and their children are: Walter, a farmer of Idaho, who is
married and has six children, a son and five daughters; Charles, who is married
and is now field manager for the Yakima Fruit Growers Association; Percy Hale,
at home; Helen, deceased; Grace. the wife of G. E. Eyler, living at Selah,
Washington; Edgar, who sacrificed his life in the service of his country, having
joined the United States navy before he was of age, and who died of pneumonia on
October 9, 1918, at Bremerton where he was in training; Richard, who has also
departed this life; and one child who died in infancy.

Mr. Hamilton and his family are identified with the Presbyterian church and take
an active and helpful interest in its work and upbuilding. Mr. Hamilton votes
with the republican party and was one of its active workers in Illinois, where
he served as a member of the board of aldermen and also as a member of the
school board. In Washington he has preferred to concentrate his undivided
efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which are gradually developing
and have already placed hint in an enviable position among the horticulturists
of the northwest.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.