Memo to Rick

[Towntalk]

The connection is through his son Grant E. Hamilton, a nationally recognized illistrator and cartoonist. Grant was Esthers father.

[Towntalk]

HOMER HAMILTON, born at Youngstown,
Ohio, February 29, 1836, died
in his native city, November 29,
1886. Given but 50 years of life,
this master in the mechanical world
built for himself and the Mahoning Valley a
name which is linked today with others whose
achievements have totally revolutionized
modern living. His parents, Emanuel and
Catherine (Deeds) Hamilton, were in what
may be termed humble circumstances, in that
they were not able to further their son's fortunes,
nor assist him in those early accomplishments
which really proved his genius.
Homer Hamilton, however, was favored
in being thus obliged to depend upon his own
resources. At the age of 16 years he laid aside
his school books and apprenticed himself to
the trade of machinist, with the firm of Reid
& \Yells, of Youngstown, contracting to perform
almost the duties of a man from the first,
for which he was to be taught the trade, and
receive board and laundry, and the sum of $25
for the first year, on a rising scale of $5 for
the three necessary years of service. His part
of the contract was faithfully performed, but
before his third year in the shops the firm
failed. He then went to the neighboring town
of Warren and entered Hull's machine shop,
where he completed two more years of work
after which he returned to Youngstown and
entered into business with James Predmore,
on East Boardman street, under the firm name
of Predmore' & Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton at this time was little more
than 20 years of age, but he was a skilled machinist
even then. The firm had little capital
and their crying need was more machinery,
but tools were dear and were slowly added to
the equipment of the shop. Wonderful results
were produced by Mr. Hamilton with his
one lathe and a few -other indifferent tools, but
he was greatly hampered all through those
early days. Among the first work he turned
out was the building of portable steam engines
for use in the Mecca oil field, in Trumbull
County, the boilers for which were purchased
in "Pittsburgh and brought to the shop in
Youngstown, where these engines were attached.
The first one completed by Air. Hamilton
was to fill an order for Edwin Bell, Sr.,
of Youngstown, and the work was of such a
satisfactory character that the young machinist's
ability was immediately recognized. His
second engine was built for Brown, Bonnell
& Company, and so thoroughly was the work
done that it was still in running order after
its builder had passed away.
The firm of Predmore & Hamilton continued
until 1861, when Mr. Hamilton, with
John Stambaugh and Fred Gerwig, purchased
the interest of James Predmore and the business
name of the new organization became
Homer Hamilton & Company. This firm was
succeeded by the style, The Hamilton Works
of William Tod & Company, Mr. Hamilton
becoming manager. Between 1861 and 1872
the firm prospered exceedingly, the needs of
the government requiring the products of
'foundry and forge to an unusual extent, but
the panic of 1872 effected this business as it
did almost every other, and the company suffered
severe loss. However, with the general
resumption of ordinary business and under the
able management of Mr. Hamilton, the company
again took its place among the leading
industries of the section. The plans and specifications
from which the new works, made
necessary by the steady expansion and healthy
growth of the business, were constructed,
were prepared by Air. Hamilton and what
they are and what they accomplish has been
called "the life-work of Homer Hamilton."
These works constitute a mechanical world,
where mechanism for almost every conceivable
purpose is made, and from which it is sent
all over the civilized globe. They show the
evolution of invention and many of them are
of so unusual and daring a nature, that at one
time, Thomas A. Edison, examining the diagrams
of Mr. Hamilton, declared that they
were remarkable and were 100 years in advance
of the times. The general public and
even the mechanical world never had even a
faint idea of the magnitude, scope, number and
practical value of the ideas Mr. Hamilton was
able to call forth from his fertile brain and put
into shapes of utility. From the great works
which he managed up to the time of his death,
was sent the engine which propelled the Ferris
Wheel, at the World's Fair at Chicago, and
from the same source, other machines as substantial
and of equal utility, have been devoted
to similar purposes in various sections of the
land. He was justly proud of that combination
of mechanical power, the Porter-Hamilton
engine, many of which are still constructed,
and he was financially interested in their
manufacture, and had still other business interests.
In 1876 the business men of the Mahoning
Valley formed an association to represent at
the Centennial at Philadelphia, the coals, ores
and iron products of this region, and they
wisely made Mr. Hamilton president of this
body. His efficiency was recognized at subsequent
exhibitions, notably the World's Industrial
and Cotton Centennial Exposition, which
he attended as commissioner of Ohio, under
appointment of President Arthur. His complete
grasp of the principles of mechanics and
his thorough knowledge of everything pertaining
thereto, made him a valuable representative
of his great state and he fulfilled her
every expectation.
In his home life, Mr. Hamilton was deeply
blest. On September 27, 1859, he was married
to Adeline Roberts, who is a daughter of
William and Mary Ann (Moore) Roberts.
They became the parents of six sons, namely
: Grant, residing in the city of New York,
where he has made a name as an artist : Frederick,
Harry and John, residing at Youngstown,
partners in the Hamilton Realty Company;
Nicholas, residing at Youngstown, fol-
lows the profession of engineer; and Scott,
residing near Poland, who is engaged in
farming.
Although he never took any active part in
politics, at various times, as the pressing demands
of his business permitted him, he accepted
civic offices at the hands of his fellow citizens,
as he was ever a man of public spirit
and in every laudable way he strove to promote
the city's prosperity and help in her substantial
advancement. He lived to see many
changes brought about and to realize that his
efforts in various directions were bearing fruit.
Springing from the lower walks of life and
from boyhood reared in a school of adversity
and stern experience, through his own indomitable
spirit he was able to surmount all difficulties
and win enduring remembrance. The
tunes, nor assist him in those early accomplish record
of both his private and business life, is
written as that of an honorable, able man of
genius, whose virtues were those of a good
citizen who loved family, friends, home and
country.

[Rick Rowlands]

No I did not know that! 

The only trace of Homer Hamilton that I have found is one of his business cards which showed up on ebay.  I was quite amazed to find it as he is a rather obscure figure. 

[Towntalk]

Rick, were you aware of the fact that there is a connection between Esther Hamilton of Youngstown Vindicator fame and Wm. Tod & Co.?

Her Grandfather was Homer Hamilton of Homer Hamilton & Co. which was purchased by William Tod & Co.