Caledonia

HAMILTON, Joseph

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 177 
(portrait p 177)

Joseph HAMILTON, of St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County, Vermont], was born 12 
May 1839 in North Gore, Province of Quebec, son of James and Mary (HAMMOND) 
HAMILTON. His early education was received at La Chute Academy in Canada, 
and he has since taken the course of study prescribed by the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for all who enter her conferences. Came to Vermont in 1865 
and joined the Vermont Conference on trial in April 1866. His first 
appointment was Kirby [Caledonia County] where he remained two years. His 
second was Marshfield [Washington County], and in April 1868 he was ordained 
deacon by Bishop AMES and admitted into the conference in full connection. 
In 1870 he was ordained elder by Bishop SIMPSON. In 1869 he was appointed to 
West Berlin and Gouldsville [both in Washington County]. In 1870 to 
Waitsfield [Washington County]; during his stay here a new church was built 
costing $6,000. In 1871 he was sent to Marshfield; 1872 Plainfield 
[Washington County]; 1875 Groton [Caledonia County]; 1877 he was sent to 
Rochester [Windsor County]; during his three years here he took eighty-five 
members into the church; 1880 he was sent to Wilmington [Windham County]; 
1883 to West Fairlee [Orange County]; 1886 to Woodstock [Windsor County], 
where he raised $3,200 to repair the church, making it one of the most 
convenient churches in the conference; in 1888 he was appointed to White 
River Junction and while here he organized a Methodist church at Olcott [both 
in Windsor County] and raised $2,000 and succeeded in building a new church 
worth $3,000. He served the church at Northfield {Washington County] from 
1890 to 1892 at which time he was appointed presiding elder of the St. 
Johnsbury district and through his efforts a district parsonage was purchased 
in the village of St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County]. During his ministry he 
baptized three hundred and forty-eight persons and attended three hundred 
funerals. In political matters he is a Prohibitionist and has voted with 
that party. On 27 April 1879 he [Joseph HAMILTON] married Charlotte K., 
daughter of Dr. J. Q. A. and Lavina A. (NEWTON) PACKER of Marshfield 
[Washington County]. Of this union six children have been born, four sons 
and two daughters.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly