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Hugh H. Hamilton, postmaster of New Plymouth, Idaho, has been a resident of this state a comparatively short time, but long enough to satisfy himself that Idaho - with its wealth of undeveloped resources, its healthful climate and the class of citizens that is constantly settling within its borders - that all these combine to make it a desirable place of residence, with a great future.
Mr. Hamilton is a native of the "Keystone State." He was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1869, fourth in the family of seven children of James and Margaret (Williams) Hamilton, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of New Jersey. James Hamilton was only a boy when, along in the '30s he left the "Emerald Isle" and sought a home in America. The rest of his life was spent in Pennsylvania. For a number of years he served as postmaster of Greenwood, that state. Agricultural pursuits, however, occupied his time the greater part of his life. He died at Greenwood, in 1887, at the age of seventy-one years. His widow survived him a number of years, until 1904, when her death occurred at the old home place at Greenwood, at the age of sixty-four.
Hugh H. Hamilton spent his early life on his father's farm, and up to the time he was eighteen attended the common schools. At the age of twenty-two years, he started out in life on his own responsibility. He learned telegraphy and followed that profession for twenty years, all of this time with the Erie Railroad Company, the last nine years as train dispatcher. In the spring of 1911 he came to Idaho, and since April 1st of that year has made his home in New Plymouth. In May of the following year he was appointed postmaster of the town and in July took charge of the office. Also he has a shoe business, which he conducts in connection with the office.
At Warren, Ohio, October 9, 1896, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Margaret Watson, daughter of Richard Watson, a native of that state; and this union has been blessed in the birth of one child, Gerald W.
In Pennsylvania, Mr. Hamilton identified himself with the German Reform church at Meadville, and still retains membership in the organization at that place. He is a member of the Commercial Club at New Plymouth.