Jones S. Hamilton
American politician (1833–1907)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jones Stewart Hamilton (April 19, 1833 – January 21, 1907) was an American sheriff, state senator, businessman and Confederate veteran who became a millionaire through investments in railroads run by convicts he leased after the war. His mansion is the namesake of Belhaven University.
Fannie Buck
Jones Stewart Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mississippi State Senator | |
| In office 1884–1888 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 19, 1833 |
| Died | January 21, 1907 (aged 73) Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Augusta Stewart Fannie Buck |
| Relations | Duncan Stewart (maternal grandfather) |
| Children | 5 sons, 2 daughters |
| Parent(s) | William Hamilton Eliza Stewart |
| Alma mater | Centenary College of Louisiana at Jackson |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America (1861–1865) |
| Branch |  Confederate States Army |
| Service years | 1861–1865 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 16th Mississippi Infantry Powers' Cavalry Regiment[1] |
Early life
Jones S. Hamilton was born on April 19, 1833, in Wilkinson County, Mississippi.[2] His parents were William Hamilton and Eliza Stewart (the daughter of Lieutenant Governor Duncan Stewart),[3] and he was of Scottish descent.[2] He graduated from Centenary College in Jackson, Louisiana.[2]
Career
Hamilton began his career as the sheriff of Wilkinson County from 1854 to 1858.[2] During the American Civil War he served in Virginia in the 16th Mississippi Infantry as a lieutenant.[4] In 1862 he was appointed Adjutant general of the Mississippi State Troops, and later rejoined active service as a soldier in Powers' Cavalry Regiment.[1][5]
Hamilton made money through convict leasing after the war.[5] According to the Arkansas Gazette, "As lessee of state penitentiary for years he was identified with many public works."[6] He "owned the Jackson gas works, a race track, and a number of hotels."[5] He was also a publisher of The Clarion Ledger in 1865–1867, and a co-founder of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad in the early 1880s.[2] He became a millionaire through his investments in railroads, which were run by the convicts he leased.[5] As a result, he has been described as a "southern-style robber baron."[7]
Hamilton was criticized for his use of convict leasing by Roderick Gambrell, a newspaper editor.[5] On May 5, 1887, the two men fought it out in a duel by gunfire, leading to Gambrell's death.[5][2] Even though duels were illegal in Mississippi, Hamilton was declared "not guilty" on April 9, 1888.[2] Hamilton published a 19-page personal pamphlet ("Jackson, Miss., April 27, 1888.") listing telegrams and letters he received from his multiple supporters, as well as, reprints of newspaper articles about his acquittal.[10][11]
Hamilton served as a member of the Mississippi State Senate, representing Hinds County from 1884 to 1888.[2][8]
Personal life, death and legacy
Hamilton married Caroline Augusta Stewart in 1856 and they had a son and a daughter. His wife died in 1861.[2] He married his second wife, Fannie Buck, in 1877; they had four sons and a daughter.[2]
Hamilton died on January 21, 1907, in Jackson, Mississippi.[2][9] He donated his Jackson mansion, Belhaven, to Belhaven College (now known as Belhaven University); the mansion burnt down in 1895 but the university retains its name.[2] By extension, it is also the namesake of the Belhaven Neighborhood where it was located.[10]
