In 1846, Hamilton was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, but failed to win re-election in 1847. He was, however, elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first, Thirty-second, and Thirty-third Congresses, serving from March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1855. While Hamilton was in Congress, even though his district was largely manufacturers and miners, he supported tariffs but only as a source of revenue for the government. Other actions while in Congress included his tenure as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia during the Thirty-third Congress.
From 1855 until 1868, Hamilton avoided politics and resumed the practice of law and farming in Hagerstown. During that time, he became widely known throughout Western Maryland as an excellent trial lawyer.
William Hamilton owned slaves and had a slaves quarters in his home in Hagerstown, Maryland.
United States Senate
After his long absence from politics, Hamilton was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate by the General Assembly, and served from March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1875. Hamilton was a strong supporter of restoring southern sovereignty following the American Civil War, but voted against the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which granted voting rights to all men regardless of race.
In 1871, Hamilton endorsed William Pinkney Whyte during the Maryland governor campaign, but regretted the decision thereafter following Whyte's actions as governor. In 1874, Hamilton was abandoned by the state Democratic Party during the nomination process for his senate seat, and was not considered by them for re-election. Instead, Hamilton ran for governor in 1875, but lost his party's nomination to fellow Democrat John Lee Carroll.
Governor of Maryland
After failing to receive nomination for governor, Hamilton again stepped away from the political arena, returning to his previous engagements in Western Maryland. During that time, however, he continued to push persistently for a Democratic nomination as governor of Maryland, which he succeeding in doing in 1879. Hamilton faced future U.S. Postmaster General, Republican James Albert Gary, during the election, and defeated him by more than 22,000 votes.[1]
As governor, Hamilton regularly conflicted with the state legislature, believing they were neglecting the state's economy. He sought to reduce government waste by abolishing excessive offices and positions, such as the office of Weighers of Grain and Hay, but again the legislature refused to cooperate with his program. He retired as governor on January 8, 1884, retaining popular support throughout the state. His hostile treatment of the legislature as governor, however, had made the state Democratic party again unreceptive towards him.
Hamilton returned to Hagerstown where he avoided further involvement in state and national politics. He returned to the practice of law, but also worked to improve the city and county public works, streets, and water supply. He was maintained a great deal of popularity in Hagerstown and the surrounding areas, and his death following a long battle with illness was widely mourned. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery (Maryland).
Family
Hamilton's daughter Josephine married the inventor Hiram Percy Maxim. His other daughter Clare married Hayden Eames, brother of the opera singer Emma Eames. His granddaughter was actress Clare Eames, his great-granddaughter is actress Jennifer Howard, and his great-great-grandson is actor Tony Goldwyn.[2]
References
^"Maryland-Colored voters shot down and driven away from the polls". The New York Times. November 5, 1879.
^"CLARE EAMES DEAD; BRILLIANT ACTRESS; American Star Underwent Two Operations During Illness of Three Weeks. WON SUCCESS IN LONDON Enthusiastically Received by Critics and Public--Had Made Reputation Before Going Abroad". The New York Times. November 9, 1930 – via NYTimes.com.
william, thomas, hamilton, mountain, author, frontiersman, september, 1820, october, 1888, member, united, states, democratic, party, 38th, governor, maryland, united, states, from, 1880, 1884, also, served, united, states, senate, representing, state, marylan. For the mountain man and author see William Thomas Hamilton frontiersman William Thomas Hamilton September 8 1820 October 26 1888 a member of the United States Democratic Party was the 38th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1880 to 1884 He also served in the United States Senate representing the State of Maryland from 1868 1874 and in the House of Representatives representing the second district 1849 1853 and fourth district 1853 1855 of Maryland William Thomas Hamilton38th Governor of MarylandIn office January 14 1880 January 9 1884Preceded byJohn Lee CarrollSucceeded byRobert Milligan McLaneUnited States Senatorfrom MarylandIn office March 4 1869 March 3 1875Preceded byWilliam Pinkney WhyteSucceeded byWilliam Pinkney WhyteMember of the U S House of Representativesfrom Maryland s 4th districtIn office March 4 1853 March 3 1855Preceded byThomas Yates WalshSucceeded byHenry Winter DavisMember of the U S House of Representativesfrom Maryland s 2nd districtIn office March 4 1849 March 3 1853Preceded byJames D RomanSucceeded byJacob ShowerMaryland House of DelegatesIn office 1846 1849Personal detailsBornSeptember 8 1820Boonsboro MarylandDiedOctober 26 1888 1888 10 26 aged 68 Hagerstown MarylandPolitical partyDemocraticSpouseClara Holmes Jenness HamiltonChildrenEight childrenNational Governors Association Governor s Information Maryland Governor William Thomas Hamilton Contents 1 Early life and politics 2 United States Senate 3 Governor of Maryland 4 Family 5 ReferencesEarly life and politics EditHamilton was born in Boonsboro Maryland and received early schooling from a local tutor named John Brown He went on to attend Hagerstown Academy and later Jefferson College in Canonsburg Pennsylvania from 1836 1840 After college Hamilton studied law with former Maryland Congressman John Thomson Mason Jr and was admitted to the bar in 1845 He then commenced law practice in Hagerstown Maryland In 1846 Hamilton was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates but failed to win re election in 1847 He was however elected as a Democrat to the Thirty first Thirty second and Thirty third Congresses serving from March 4 1849 March 3 1855 While Hamilton was in Congress even though his district was largely manufacturers and miners he supported tariffs but only as a source of revenue for the government Other actions while in Congress included his tenure as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia during the Thirty third Congress From 1855 until 1868 Hamilton avoided politics and resumed the practice of law and farming in Hagerstown During that time he became widely known throughout Western Maryland as an excellent trial lawyer William Hamilton owned slaves and had a slaves quarters in his home in Hagerstown Maryland United States Senate EditAfter his long absence from politics Hamilton was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate by the General Assembly and served from March 4 1869 to March 3 1875 Hamilton was a strong supporter of restoring southern sovereignty following the American Civil War but voted against the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which granted voting rights to all men regardless of race In 1871 Hamilton endorsed William Pinkney Whyte during the Maryland governor campaign but regretted the decision thereafter following Whyte s actions as governor In 1874 Hamilton was abandoned by the state Democratic Party during the nomination process for his senate seat and was not considered by them for re election Instead Hamilton ran for governor in 1875 but lost his party s nomination to fellow Democrat John Lee Carroll Governor of Maryland EditAfter failing to receive nomination for governor Hamilton again stepped away from the political arena returning to his previous engagements in Western Maryland During that time however he continued to push persistently for a Democratic nomination as governor of Maryland which he succeeding in doing in 1879 Hamilton faced future U S Postmaster General Republican James Albert Gary during the election and defeated him by more than 22 000 votes 1 As governor Hamilton regularly conflicted with the state legislature believing they were neglecting the state s economy He sought to reduce government waste by abolishing excessive offices and positions such as the office of Weighers of Grain and Hay but again the legislature refused to cooperate with his program He retired as governor on January 8 1884 retaining popular support throughout the state His hostile treatment of the legislature as governor however had made the state Democratic party again unreceptive towards him Hamilton returned to Hagerstown where he avoided further involvement in state and national politics He returned to the practice of law but also worked to improve the city and county public works streets and water supply He was maintained a great deal of popularity in Hagerstown and the surrounding areas and his death following a long battle with illness was widely mourned He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery Maryland Family EditHamilton s daughter Josephine married the inventor Hiram Percy Maxim His other daughter Clare married Hayden Eames brother of the opera singer Emma Eames His granddaughter was actress Clare Eames his great granddaughter is actress Jennifer Howard and his great great grandson is actor Tony Goldwyn 2 References Edit Maryland Colored voters shot down and driven away from the polls The New York Times November 5 1879 CLARE EAMES DEAD BRILLIANT ACTRESS American Star Underwent Two Operations During Illness of Three Weeks WON SUCCESS IN LONDON Enthusiastically Received by Critics and Public Had Made Reputation Before Going Abroad The New York Times November 9 1930 via NYTimes com United States Congress William Thomas Hamilton id H000118 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Maryland Archives biographyParty political officesPreceded byJohn Lee Carroll Democratic nominee for Governor of Maryland1879 Succeeded byRobert Milligan McLaneU S House of RepresentativesPreceded byJames D Roman Member of the U S House of Representatives from Maryland s 2nd congressional district1849 1853 Succeeded byJacob ShowerPreceded byThomas Yates Walsh Member of the U S House of Representatives from Maryland s 4th congressional district1853 1855 Succeeded byHenry Winter DavisU S SenatePreceded byWilliam Pinkney Whyte U S senator Class 1 from Maryland1869 1875 Served alongside George Vickers George R Dennis Succeeded byWilliam P WhytePolitical officesPreceded byJohn Lee Carroll Governor of Maryland1880 1884 Succeeded byRobert Milligan McLane Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Thomas Hamilton amp oldid 1128499742, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
