Alexander Hamilton
Dr.
Alexander
Hamilton
Born Toronto
Canada
Feb. 3, 1836
died, Corpus
Christi, Tex
July 16, 1882
Blessed are the
dead which die
in the Lord
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
Provenance: Corpus Christi Public Libraries
2. Biographical information
(Dr. Alexander Hamilton) was one of Canada’s great statesmen, a man who endeared the name to all citizens of the Dominion. (Dr. Hamilton) transferred his allegiance to the United States and came to Texas in 1875, bringing his wife and three sons with him. He took charge of the U. S. Marine Hospital at Corpus Christi in 1875 and remained there until his death in 1882. The Spohn family, his mother’s ancestors, became prominent in Corpus Christi, where Dr. Arthur E. Spohn was the founder of the Spohn Hospital and a very eminent surgeon.
Source:
From a biographical sketch of his son, Arthur Claud Hamilton.
David, Ellis A. and Edwin H. Grobe, editors. New Encyclopedia of Texas. Dallas: Texas Development Bureau, vol. 2, 1941.
Henry J. Hamilton,
Son of Dr. Alexander Hamilton
Dr. Henry J. Hamilton is surgeon in charge of the United States public health service at Laredo, has been active in practice in that city for more than twenty years, and is a nephew of the late Dr. A. E. Spohn, the distinguished Texas surgeon. He has a brother, Hon. A. C. Hamilton, a prominent lawyer of Laredo, and several members of the Hamilton family have reached position and standing in the professions, particularly medicine.
Henry J. Hamilton was born at Barrie, Ontario, in 1864, a son of Dr. Alexander and Katherine (Spohn) Hamilton. His grandfather of Scotch-Irish stock, was one of the York pioneers who founded the City of Toronto, and was a cousin to the Countess of Dufferin and to Lord Claude Hamilton of Ireland. Dr. Alexander Hamilton was a native of Canada, gained high rank as a physician there, and in 1875 brought his family to Texas, locating at Corpus Christi. For several years he was surgeon of the United States Marine Hospital Service at Corpus Christi, and died there in 1882.
Source:
Johnson, Frank W. Edited by Eugene Campbell Barker and Ernest William Winkler.
A History of Texas and Texans. American Historical Society, 1916.
Ad
SPOHN, BURKE & HAMILTON, physician and surgeons, offices over R. H.
Berry’s drug store. (Market Square)
Source: Semi Weekly Ledger, November 21, 1880, p. 3, col. 5
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
3. News Item
Dr. Hamilton, recently of Canada, has taken the office of P. B. Turpin, upstairs over E. D. Sidbury & Co.s, and is now ready to answer all professional calls that may be made upon him. Dr. Hamilton is an old practitioner and has the honor of being the preceptor of our
distinguished fellow towns-men, Dr. A. E. Spohn- a fact which is of itself sufficient to establish his reputation as a gentlemen and a physician. We welcome the Doctor to our City, and trust he may always be pleased with the change of residence he has made. See his card in another column.
Source: C. C. Daily Gazette, February 3, 1876, Page 4, col. 1
4. News Item
Quarantine
Officer Burke, from the quarantine station at Aransas Pass, arrived by the steamship on a visit to his family. Dr. Hamilton will leave on the steamship to take his place, who, in turn, will again be relieved by Dr. Spohn. While this arrangement may not be exactly in accordance with the letter of the law it nevertheless complies with the spirit thereof, a “competent physician†being at all times in charge of the station. The condition on which Dr. Burke accepted the appointment stipulated that he should have the privilege of leaving his station if the same was left in charge of a thorough physician, and on no other grounds would he accept the position. He has written to the Attorney General for instructions regarding quarantine, and it is his intention to endeavor to comply with the law in every particular and conciliate all concerned.
Source: The Daily Gazette, June 15, 1876, page 3, col. 2
Particulars of the Killing of Walker
From Dr. Hamilton, who returned late Thursday evening we learn the following particulars in reference to the killing of James Walker who died at 3 o’clock on the day of the Doctor’s return: In the discharge of his duties as deputy sheriff Walker left home one week ago on Thursday to arrest a Mexican for whom he had a writ. He made the arrest near San Diego, tied him on a horse and came on towards Precenos, at which place he hired another Mexican to assist him in bringing the prisoner to town. About one and a half miles this side of Precenos the guard suddenly dropped back, drew his pistol and shot Walker, when both prisoner and guard wheeled their horses and ran. Walker then fired at them, and feeling that he was mortally wounded, continued his ride until he reached Rider’s rancho where he received every possible assistance. A messenger was immediately dispatched for the doctor who reached him at 3 o’clock on the morning of the day on which he died. In reply to Walker’s question as to his chances for life, Doctor Hamilton told him he must die, when he at once commenced preparing for his final end. He first conversed privately with his wife and then with his relatives and friends. He repeated several very fervent prayers and requested Doctor Hamilton to read him a chapter from the bible, himself selecting the book of Hebrews. Up to the time of his death he remained sensible and passed away very easily. An examination of the wound showed that the ball entered about four inches below the shoulder blade on the left side, and about three inches from the spine, and passed out at the margin of the ribs, three inches from the sternum and four and a half inches from the nipple.
Source: The Daily Gazette, June 16, 1876, page 3, col. 2
Research and Transciption: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
5. News Item
The following is a sketch of the brother of Dr. Hamilton. Our citizens will remember that his body was sent home to his friends a few weeks since: In Saturday's Mail it was stated among the death notices that Mr. William Kent Hamilton, son of Mr. Alex. Hamilton, of this city, had died at Corpus Christi, Texas, on the 15th of March. Mr. Hamilton had for a long time been wasting away with consumption, and he was advised, as a last resort, to seek a warmer climate in the Southern States. Having a brother, who is a physician, at Corpus Christi, he went there, but died a few days after his arrival. The body was brought to Toronto, arriving
here, after a journey of two weeks, on Friday morning. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon and was very numerously attended by York Pioneers and Odd Fellows, of both of which fraternities deceased was a prominent member, as well as many of his personal friends. Rev. Mssrs. Jeffrey, Potts, Rose, and Saltern Givens, were the officiating clergymen. The pallbearers were Mssrs. Chas. Moore, Hector Morrison, Geo. Harper, R. J. Hunter, Wm. Keighley and Dr. Geo. Wright. The body was interred at the Necropolis. During Saturday afternoon the flag of St. Lawrence Hall floated at half-mast in honor of the deceased gentleman. For about four years he has been connected with the York Pioneers, of which body his father is one of the oldest and most honored members, and he took a prominent part in establishing Covenant Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Hamilton was in the prime of life being only twenty-seven years of age and had a large circle of friends. He leaves a wife and a small family. Toronto Mail, April 3,
Source: Corpus Christi Daily Gazette, April 16, 1876, Page 1, col. 4
Research: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin