John Marshall Hamilton | |
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| 18th Governor of Illinois | |
| In office February 16, 1883 – January 30, 1885 | |
| Lieutenant | William Campbell |
| Preceded by | Shelby Moore Cullom |
| Succeeded by | Richard J. Oglesby |
| 22ndLieutenant Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 10, 1881 – February 6, 1883 | |
| Governor | Shelby Moore Cullom |
| Preceded by | Andrew Shuman |
| Succeeded by | William J. Campbell |
| Member of theIllinois Senate from the 28th district | |
| In office 1876 (1876) – 1880 (1880) | |
| Preceded by | John Cusey |
| Succeeded by | Joseph W. Fifer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 28, 1847 |
| Died | September 22, 1905(1905-09-22) (aged 58) |
| Party | Republican |
| Signature |  |
John Marshall Hamilton (May 28, 1847 – September 22, 1905) was the18th Governor of Illinois, serving from 1883 to 1885. Born inUnion County, Ohio, Hamilton became interested in politics at a young age, joining theWide Awakes when he was thirteen and theUnion Army four years later. After graduating fromOhio Wesleyan University he studied law and was admitted to the bar. A notable attorney inBloomington, Illinois, Hamilton was elected to theIllinois Senate in 1876. He served there until 1881, when he was electedLieutenant Governor of Illinois on a ticket withShelby Moore Cullom. When Cullom resigned after election to theUnited States Senate, Hamilton became Governor of Illinois. He was not selected as a candidate for re-election, but did serve that year as a delegate to the1884 Republican National Convention. He spent the rest of his life as an attorney inChicago, where he died in 1905.
Hamilton was born inUnion County, Ohio, nearRichwood on May 28, 1847. He moved with his family toRoberts Township, Marshall County, Illinois, when he was seven years old. Hamilton first became involved with politics at a young age, joining theRepublicanWide Awakes in 1861 at the age of thirteen. Hamilton's unit was called into action as the77th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but Hamilton could not serve because of his young age. Hamilton studied at a school inHenry in the meantime.[1] In 1864, when Hamilton was seventeen years old, he enlisted in the141st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment during theU.S. Civil War.[2]
After his unit was mustered out, he attendedOhio Wesleyan University. He became a teacher in Henry, but was forced to resign after only a year due to poor health. While recovering, Hamilton studied law in his free time. Seeking a place to study law, he turned toBloomington, Illinois. Hamilton took a temporary position as Professor of Latin atIllinois Wesleyan University. While there, Hamilton studied law withWeldon, Tipton & Benjamin and was admitted to the bar in 1870.[3] He married Helen Williams in 1871.[2] Hamilton served for several years as an attorney in Bloomington in a practice with J. H. Rowell until he was elected to theIllinois Senate as aRepublican in 1876.[4]
Hamilton was electedLieutenant Governor of Illinois in 1881, serving underShelby Moore Cullom. At the time, the Lieutenant Governor was also thePresident of the Illinois Senate. In 1882, Cullom was elected to theUnited States Senate and vacated his position as Governor of Illinois the following year. Hamilton became the 18th Governor of the state. His brief governorship is best known for the decision requiringcompulsory education for Illinois children.[4][5] Hamilton also signed the Harper High License Law that mandated a license for institutions serving liquor.[4] In 1883, Hamilton sent theIllinois National Guard to quell protests at mines inMadison andSt. Clair Counties.[6]
In 1884, Hamilton was selected as a candidate for reelection at the Republican State Convention inPeoria, Illinois. However, the delegation settled onRichard J. Oglesby, who was later elected to serve a third non-consecutive term. Despite this, Hamilton was unanimously elected by the convention as one of the four state delegates to the1884 Republican National Convention. He first supported former U.S. Senator from IllinoisJohn A. Logan as a presidential candidate, voting for him in the first three ballots. However, after Logan sent a telegram to the convention declining the nomination, Hamilton supported incumbent PresidentChester A. Arthur. AfterJames G. Blaine was selected as the presidential candidate, Hamilton successfully rallied support for Logan as the vice presidential candidate. The ticket laterlost toGrover Cleveland.[7]
Hamilton spent the rest of his life as a lawyer in Chicago.[4] He died there on September 22, 1905, and was buried inOak Woods Cemetery.[2] His1872 house in Bloomington, Illinois, was recognized with a listing on theNational Register of Historic Places on September 6, 1978.[8]
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Republican nominee forLieutenant Governor of Illinois 1880 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Illinois 1881-1883 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Illinois 1883–1885 | Succeeded by |
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| National | |
| Other | |
