JAMES HAMILTON (deceased), who in his lifetime was a successful business man of North Strabane township, was of Irish parentage. His father, ALexander Hamilton, was born in the Emerald Isle, and when a small boy came with his parents to America. They settled in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., where the parents died, and Alexander was married to Jane Colwell. Their children were James, Joseph C. and John (both farming in North Strabane township), Mary (widow of William Crawford), Sarah, Robert C., Alexander, Elizabeth, James, Anna and Margaret. Of these, Robert C., Alexander, Elizabeth, James, Anna and Margaret are deceased. Mr. Hamilton voted with the Democratic party, but was not an active politician. He and his wife were both active members of the old Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1860, and was followed to the grave by her husband in 1864. James Hamilton was born December 27, 1809, in North Strabane township, Washington Co., Penn., and grew to manhood on the home place, receiving his early education at the country schools of the vicinity. On October 1, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Bushyager, who was born February 17, 1816, in Washington county, Penn., daughter of George and Mary Bushyager. Mr. Bushyager was born in Germany and immigrated to Pennsylvania, where he was married to Mary Miller, a native of that State. Nine children were born to them, of whom are now living: Sarah (wife of Joseph Gilchrist, a farmer of Iowa), John (a farmer of Westmoreland county, Penn.,) and Lucy (Mrs. James Hamilton). Mr. Bushyager was a farmer and died in Westmoreland county, Penn.; his wife died in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. James Hamilton had children as follows: Four are now living--Robert C., born February 27, 1851; Margaret, born March 20, 1853 (married December 21, 1882, to Samuel McNary); James A., born October 16, 1855, and George I. born September 1, 1858; Sarah J., who died March 18, 1889, and three that died in infancy. Of this family George L. was married March 21, 1879, to Miss Sadie A. Chamberlain, who was born October 9, 1859, a native of Washington county, and three children were born to them, namely: James H., born December 17, 1879; Nelly b., born September 27, 1881, and Hannah F., born October 19, 1883. Mr. Hamilton had a good farm of 106 acres, lying half a mile south of Thomas. In politics he was a Democrat, and was ever interested in all worthy enterprises. He died November 25, 1892, aged eighty-three years.

Text taken from page 537 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Paula Talbert of Caldwell, OH as part of the Beers Project. Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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