About 8 o'clock Tuesday morning
dealth claimed Mr. Robert Hamilton, a popular and widely-known resident of
Simcoe. He was in his [54]th year, and had been in failing health for some
months. He leaves a widow and a family of three children, Mr. Murray
Hamilton, his partner in the firm of R. Hamilton & Son, and two
daughters, Girthel [sic] and Margaret.
Mr. Hamilton came to Simcoe to
reside about four years ago, purchasing the residence of the late A. J.
Donly, Norfolk street, where he died, and whence his funeral took place at
1:30 o'clock today. He had however, been for some years prior to that a
constant visitor here as a member of the horse importing firm of Hamilton
and Hawthorne.
Deceased was
born in Eckford, Middlesex county, and in early life engaged in
contracting. He lived in the Dakotas, and built many miles of railroad
there. Returning to Canada, he helped to build the Canadian division of
the Pere Marquette, afterwards the C.P.R. branch from Tillsonburg to
Ingersoll. Eight or ten years ago the firm of Hamilton and Hawthorne was
formed for the importation of French pure-bred horses, and a very large
and prosperous business was done. He was largely interested in the Lea
Pickling Co., and at the time of his death was its president.
