William A. Hamilton

Wabash Valley profiles : a series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference

Description:	One typed page including portrait; biography of William Albert Will Hamilton, insurance executive and original owner of the Hamilton House. WABASHP R OFIA hometown h heroes who h difference. A seriies of ttributes tto h f ib t t h have made a diff dVALLEYL E SWilliam A. Hamilton108-year-old legacy bestowed on the community by insurance executive William Albert Will Hamilton will be recognized tomorrow by Terre Haute Landmarks. The son of Joseph Wright and Elizabeth (Palmer) Hamilton, Will was born on May 5, 1857, in Washington County, Pa. After receiving a public school education, he secured employment as a cashier in a Pittsburgh wholesale store. Situating in Terre Haute in 1876, he soon formed Riddle, Hamilton & Co., a real estate firm and insurance agency, with J. Irving Riddle. When William C. Doak became a principal, the company was named Doak-Riddle-Hamilton. In 1892 Hamilton also became general agent for Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York. Hamilton wed Clara Bitner of New Castle, Pa., in 1881. The couple initially resided at 600 S. Center St. Hamilton was active in community affairs as a member of the Young Business Mens Club and a charter member of the Commercial Club, a predecessor of the Terre Haute Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine, an elder in the Central Presbyterian Church and an early board member of the Light House Mission. He also served on boards of Union Hospital and the YMCA. Hamilton was particularly proud of his Colonial heritage since ancestors of both parents served the Revolutionary cause. Extremely active in the Sons of the American Revolution, Will was elected president of the Indiana society in 1907-08. Clara Hamilton served on the Womans Board of Visitors at Coates College for Women in Terre Haute. In 1897-98 the Hamiltons erected an impressive three-story residence at 1227 S. Sixth St., where they raised three sons: Lloyd Park, Paul Bitner and William Jr. Though the Hamiltons migrated to Los Angeles in 1915, the residence has been owned by several other prominent Terre Haute families including, but not limited to, Lee R. Whitney, general manager of National Drain Tile Corp., and his wife Jennie (1915-1924), who made major additions; Harry L. Arnold, president of Terre Haute Malleable & Manufacturing Co. and his wife Anita (1925-1952); Dr. James and Martha White (1952-1964); and Judge Ronald L. and Jean Grenert (1964-1973). Will Hamilton died in Inglewood, Cal., at age 80, on Jan. 14, 1938. Clara predeceased him on May 14, 1937. In 1975 owner Joy Washburn allowed the residence to be featured by the Womens Service League of Union Hospital as its Decorators Show House. In recent years the Hamilton House, as it is identified by preservationists, fell into disrepair. On Friday, May 12 at 4 p.m., efforts by David and Sandy Alumbaugh to restore the home to its early splendor are being acknowledged by Terre Haute Landmarks during special ceremonies at the residence. The public is invited to attend.AAlways Close to HomeMEMBER FDICFREE ISU Baseball TicketsISU vs. Missouri State Friday, May 19 7 p.m. FIRST will be there with FREE hot dogs.Tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis at Meadows, West Terre Haute, Plaza North, Springhill and Main banking centers.
Origin:	2006-05-15
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/1322
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	Hamilton, William Albert, 1857-1938 Insurance companies Houses Business people People Business & Industry Architecture

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