| Notes |
- . Census 1880 Jun 3 - James P Hamilton Son, at home, Blind, B Mich 8 ys /1872, Father b Canada, Mother b. Penn.
. 2007 Cousin J. Finn in Toronto, recalled his mother Mary Walker Finn mentioned someone in the Hamilton family was blind. Jennie Walker had a piano in Erin, Ontario & one wonders if James P. Hamilton might have advised her on the same, as we know at least his father visited & was photographed with his brother Richard Lawrence Hamilton at Erin, Ontario. Rev. James Hamilton visited Erin again with the widowed Mrs. Ella McCutcheon Hamilton.
US Passport Application # 35481
. 1892 Feb 27 - James P Hamilton (signed with an X mark) Grand Rapids, Address 521 Sherman Street, Grand Rapids, Mich.,
Application for myself & my wife Carrie E, Hamilton, born Langsbury, MI.
Occupation: Piano tuner & now desire to visit Germany & other European Countries.
Description of Applicant: 20 years, 5 feet 7 inch, Broad forehead, Small mouth, medium chin, light brown hair, fair complexion, oval face, Eyes destroyed by accident, Nose medium.
James P Hamilton born 19 Oct 1871, Big Rapids. Permanent residence being at Coldwater, Michigan.
Signed with an X, James P Hamilton, Coldwater, Mich. Feb 25, 1892.
- 2nd application, as above, 28 Jun 1895 born Big Rapids*, J P Hamilton, 521 Sherman St., Grand Rapids. [Place of birth is perhaps in error, should be Grand Rapids.. - PJA]
. Ann Arbor, Michigan Directory
1898 - 1899 - James P Hamilton, Carrie E, piano tuner, res, 319 Maynard.
. 1904 Battle Creek, MI. Directory:
Jams P Hamilton, Carrie Y, piano tuner, Main W, (urbandale), h. same. Note: Cousin Nina J Hamilton Robinson borders with them.
. 1910 Benton Harbor, Michigan:
. James P Hamilton, pres. Hamilton Jewerly, res. Grand Rapids, Mich.
. Hamilton Jewelry Co., James P Hamilton pres. Griffin D Young, Vice pres*, Walter A Hamilton, sec & treas., 105 E. Main.
. Walter A Hamilton, sec & tres. Hamilton Jewerly Co., res. St. Joseph, Mich.
* Griffin D Young - verify relationship to wife Carrie E Young.
. 1897 Feb 13 - Told of a Blind Student, Attainments that seem hardly possible to one with sight.
The career of James P Hamilton a blind student at University of Michigan is remarkable. At an early age, through an accident, the sight of both of his eyes was destroyed & since then he has fought a successful battle inlet against great. Son of Rev James Hamilton of Grand Rapids, was born at Bir Rapids, Oct 19, 1872. When 3 years old he fell & struck the points of a par of shears into one eye, & from sympathetic affection the treatment he lost the sight of both yees. When 10 y he entered the Lansing school for the blind, & remained & graduated in the literary courts. He learned the broom mango & piano using trees.He then made a trip to Europe, paying his own way by money earned at piano turning..studied & speaks French & German fluently. On his return he entered Albion Collage, then Ann Arbor University when he expects t take the classical course, In 1895 summer he married & spent the year in Italy & Greece in study. …He writes with Braille system about 20 words a minute.
Ref: St. Jospeh Saturday Herald Newspaper. Michigan.
News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Michigan:
. 1898 April 23 - James Hamilton, the blind student at the University of Mich. who lectured at Buchanan Wed. night on "What a Blind Man saw in Europe," put up a big surprise in the afternoon for Will House in a catch-as-catch-can wrestle. House weights 100 pounds & is considered pretty smooth. Hamilton's weight is 145 but he was easily downed in the match.
. 1898 July 2 - Benton Harbor. Late Local items. Mr. J P Hamilton, the blind lecturer & son of Rev. James Hamilton, of St. Joseph, is in the city.
. 1900 November 6, Tues. - Coming Events; Nov. 9 1900 - Marego - James Perrine Hamilton in Spworth league lecture course.
. 1900 November 9 - James Perrine Hamilton, the blind lecturer who spoke at the ME Church last night will appear at Marengo this evening.
. GAVE GOOD LECTURE. James Perrine Hamilton told "What A Blind Man Saw In Europe," at M C Church Last Night.
The lecture given by JPH at Meth. church last night for the benefit of the Epworth League did not draw the crowd it should have had on account of the inclemency of the weather. The lecture was very good. Mr. Hamilton is blind & he lectured on the peculiar subject, "What a blind man saw in Europe". He proved that a blind man could see a great deal when his other senses were as properly rained as those of the lecturer seed to be.
. 1901 January 30 - James Hamilton, the piano tuner, was in the city today.
. 1910 April 26 - Benton H. - J P Hamilton of Grand Rapid is spending a week with his brother.
. 1911 Jan 4 - News of St. Joseph - J P Hamilton of Grand Rapids is a guest at the W A Hamilton home.
. 1911 March 9 - James P Hamilton is here from Grand Rapids, on business.
. 1911 July 29 - Del Goldon of Buchanan is visiting at the J P Hamilton home at Royalton Heights.
. 1903 Jul 14 - Governor Bliss of NY inspects institute for Blind. Gov & Mrs Bliss are home from NY where they have been for the past 2 weeks upon private business. When the governor arrived home Monday J P Hamilton of Battle Creek, member of the commission, formerly superintendent of school at Lansing.
. 1904 Nov 12 - Interesting Lecture, given at First M E Church by JPH, Friday Night, JPH superintendent Mich. Employment Inst. Blind. told of scenes & places visited & situations which befell him. City of Berlin, trip up the Rhine, jaunt to Giant mountains & other points in Germany. A storm sea on the return trip painted with extraordinary dramatic vividness, who was without escort on shipboard & compelled to trust entirely to his sense of sound. … He related a spoiled meal. Having been asked if he wanted gravy, he immediately found his plate deluged in prune sauce. Another time he was trapped in an English railway car for 4 hours with a capacity of 10 people which was occupied by 7 women & 8 babies.
He was arrested in Berlin for playing the piano before 8 am. & debated his trip through Cologne's cathedral with 6 priests because it is forbidden for 2 people to work arm in arm within its portals.
Ref. Saginaw News, Michigan.
1904 Nov 14 - Home For The Blind is nearing completion & will reopened & Dedicated Dec 22. Saginaw, The Michigan Employelment Instituation for the Blind in this city, is nearing completion. J Perrin Hamilton, Superintendent of the institution, in a circular of information &inquiry sets forth its object & needs. It is the design of the institution toaafford complete & satisfactory occupation for the hands & minds outhouse aline people of Michigan who feel the need of such assistance.
The State provides for 3 years sojourn in the institution, during which time some trade is learned, & after employment will be furnished at the instiute, whereby the laborer will be enabled to pay his board & purchase his own clothes., If the laborer is married, he will be allowed to maintain a home for his family in the city. A library & reading circle will be maintained.
Ne names of all blind persons in the State with their post offie address may be sent to J Perrine Hamilton, Suptintendent, Saginaw, Mich. Mr Hamilton wants to known whether they wish to learn to read & write. Mr. Hamilton is a son of Rev James Hamilton & brother of H A Halton & Mrs K M Ransom of St. Joseph.
. 1914 Feb 22 - Blindman's Remarkable Story; Wins Success Though Sightless. Overcoming a Handicap which unifies man for battles of live - Now a prominent cities of Tampa. James P Hamilton Masters Intricate Mechanics & Excels in Numerous Lines.
Pluck asks no quarter that buckles into the battle of life & brings success against over whelming odds. James P Hamilton & Charles H Green of the Hamilton & Green Piano company are 2 men whose superior intelligence & force of will has enabled them to rise to heights. Each has known the blessing of God's sunlight in his childhood, but accident has caused them to realize The Light that Failed. James Perrine Hamilton as told in the Grand Rapids, Mich. Herald several years ago.
Mr. Jim Hamilton is vice-president of the US Register Company of Battle Creek, MI.; a piano business in Battle Creek, resident of Yonge-Hamilton Co., Rome, GA & of Tampa. For a number of years he spent winters on East Coast of Florida, never visiting Tampa until last year. He was amazed a the development he found here. On March 8, last year the HG Piano company came to 900 Franklin St. Mr. Hamilton recently moved his family to Tampa.
When old enough he was sent to Lansing School for the Blind where he acquired his high school education & a thorough working knowledge of piano tuning. He then graduated from Albion College, with honors in 1899. Meanwhile he had taken 2 trips to Europe in search of restoration of his sight. He completed a post-graduate literary course of the University of Michigan.
From the age of 18 [1898] Mr. H. supported himself by piano tuning. M married Miss Carrie Young of Battle Creek & supports a family of four. 1903 to 1904, member of Board of Trustees for New Employment Ins. for Adult Blind at Saginaw. Travels Much Alone, does all his own correspondence on a typewriter. He travels 1,000 miles each month making deliveries. He attributes is success to absolute merits of his goods. My patrons help me by turning boosters from people I never heard of. Mrs. Hamilton looks after the bookkeeping. Of splendid physique he goes to the gymnasium work & was State amateur champion in Welterweight, list weight & catch-as-catch can wresting in 1894.
What the Blind Man Saw lectures, A Winter in Athens, visited Germany, Switzerland, Italy & Greece. He visited Queen Olga at the Royal Place.
In the basement of Mr. H's home is a workshop fitted with tools for wood & iron & hammering copper. His home is full furniture he had made with brass & copper. He just completed the interior of the bathroom of his home. Other furniture are a Morris chair, a chafing dish cabinet; a large hall seat & mirror of beaten copper corners, both in birds eyes maple & a heavy oak bedstead.
His keenest delight is in the woods & waters & no day in solitude of forest is too long for him to common with nature. He takes his annual summer camping trip with 4 former blind classmates. They are unaccompanied by anyone save son Kenneth, now 11y. They swam & fished together. Mr. H home includes a gifted wife & clever children Kenneth, aged 12, Helen 9.
Until 7 year ago [1907] Mr. H could distinguish between light & darkness, though unable to discern outlines of even large objects. Never yielding to utter despair is the secret of his great success. This narrative contains but a meager outline of his accomplishments.
. Photo large dreamy but blurry photo, James, wears a suit, EYE GLASSES, one hand hand on his face while he stares down into a cash register machine.
Ref: Tampa Tribune Newspaper, Florida. [Abbreviated from a long article. - PJA 2016]
. 1916 May 27, Realty Transfers, James P Hamilton to M J Hunziker.
. 1915 Feb 28, Sun. scotch Club Meeting, Knights of Pythias Castle Hall, Lafayette St, Tues. Mar 2, Program, Vocal solo, JPH, Graphophona selections, Kenneth Hamilton.
. 1915 Apr 22 - Scotch Club entertained, on Tues. evening Apr 20th when Mr & Mrs Jas. P Hamilton of Nebraska Ave. entrained the Scotch club of Tampa they gave to its members a real Highland welcome, of which Burns said ," I'll as no more of Heaven." From the gate, where Kenneth Hamilton, the young son of the house, stood, the strains of hospitality flowed onward to the threshold, where wee Bruce & his father steered the guests into the heart of the house, there to be guided finally by the hostess & her friends. Mrs. Hamilton was assisted in receiving by Miss Annie MacFarlane & the ladies of the entrainment committee. The spacious grounds were beautifully illuminated by Chinese lanterns & a final touch of cheer was added by the wood fire burning in the large stone fireplace. After a tour of the house was made the guests were invited to o over the grounds. These were charming enough in the mingled light of lanterns & moon to have been a scene conjured up from fairyland. There was dancing in the fine music room to the piano & also in the illuminated pavilion to the music of the Victrola. Later large bonfires were lighted about the grounds & the guests were beautifully supplied with good things to eat. "Weiner wurst" were roasted on the end of long wands & sent forth most appetizing odors on the cool night air. Last of all a cup of "Tammie Lipton's" tea. Hot, too! & just right. Before departing Chief Mcfarlane called for a vote of thanks to Mr & Mrs Hamilton. This was most heartily given. "H's a Jolly good Fellow" followed, more choruses & finally "Auld Lang syne - the Amen of the Scotch club. The Scotch Club of Tampa numbers about 200 & they all united in wising for Mr & Mrs: Friend's many, Baith honest men & lasses bonny, Many couthie Fortune kind & caming, In social glee, We morning blith & evening funny, Bless them & thee!".
. 1917 Oct 16, Tues. Scott Club, Bimonthly at Castle Hall. Plans for Halloween celebrations, celebration is to be held at the home of Mr & Mrs James P Hamilton, Hamilton Heath.
. 1917 Oct 17, Scotch Club, …A large attendance is urged, for Halloween celebration, to be held at home or JPH, Hamilton Heath & a jolly time is anticipated.
. 1920 Mar 28, New bungalow for Sale, can sell for moderate down payment & carry balance on mortgage or monthly payments, located at Hamilton heath on Nebraska Ave, Phone owner or write JPH.
. 1920 Apr 4 - For Sale, modern bungalow, near Sulphur Springs car line, Phone 72-674, or write JPH.
. 1920 Jul 24 - Dale City Banner: JPH, Tampa, Jeweler, is not frightened by high costs of material & labor conditions, but has built & sold 6 bungalows on Nebraska avenue near Sulphur springs & has contracted for 10 more. Wish Dale City had a man of like mind.
. 1933 Jan 12 Thrus. - Members of Sun Dial Circle of Tampa Garden clubs held a luncheon & bridge at Lake Thnotosassa, Mrs. Kenneth Hamilton Mrs. J P Hamilton. Mr H states he will give the county additional space on either side of the road to make it 50 ft. wide. Mr H has been ordered to move all buildings off the proposed right of way by Aug 1, next Tues. Mr. Farrell would have trouble & expense moving his boat house off his land as the rd. would cut off part of the car barn at Sulphur Springs & encroach upon the Tampa electric Co.s right of way.
Ref: Tampa Tribune Newspaper, Florida.
. 1921 Jun 9 - Seminole Heights Parents-Teachers Association will hold its regular meeting at Mrs. JPH in Hamilton Heath. additional expense of a new road & bridge as well as seeing the old rd. in repair, the country may have a lawsuit on its hands if it forces the matter to an issue. Interviewed yesterday in regard the county's claim Mr. H stated he was sorry to know that land he bought had been claim as county rich of way, as he had employed 9 to the states leading attorneys to look into the titles & deeds before he purchased it.
. 1921 Jul 29 - Is new bride needs at Sulphur Springs? 5 residences, garage buildings & a boat house are involved in the plan of the county commissars to one up what they declare is a county right of way at Sulphur Springs, paralleling a block distant, the present road & bridge., …JPH of Hamilton Health would have to move 5 residence mentioned.
. 1921 Jul 30 - Determine Whether County Is Really Owner Hamilton's Building Sites. Strong opposition to the building of a new Co. why & bridge to replace the one now in operation was brought to Co. Commissioners yesterday. C J More attorney for JP H. Mr H was wiling to give the co. 50 ft. of additional right of way on the south side of the bridge to facilitate the building of amore adequate approach to the present bridge, also stated eliminating the curve at their than the proposed rd. could be built between the Tampa electric Co. tracks & MR's houses & still leave a clearance of 40 feet. the matter had been turned over to Co. attorney & Co.. engineer to make a survey of the property & report back.
Note2: Sulphur Springs, For accept Water supply offer, Want a street paved. Steps for proving a general water supply for Sulphur Spring residents voting in favor on accept offer of JPH to furnish a water system for that terrify. His proposed plant would be entirely separate from is present water supply in Hamilton Heath & would be on the north instead of the south side of the Hillsborough river. Many residents now have their own wells.
. 1922 May 25 - According to JPH, the water works to be installed locally will be well under way the mid July. work will be begun laying the pipe as soon as the material arrives.
. 1922 June 4 - JPH was given the Springs section of a waterworks service that will meet the community's needs for years. the contract has been awarded to one firm lane for the erection of 21 handsome bungalow with others going up continual & prospects are that the most thickly settled portion of community, with across the river residential suburbs will be incorporate with a shortchanged time. Improvements are constantly being made in Sulphur Springs Park, in which is locate the finest bathing pool in the US near the Nebraska ave. Bridge.
. 1922 Jun 18, FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENT: Just a Common Sense Protection Seeking appeal to the Taxpayers of the Hillsborough Co. for financial Sanity. Taxpayers league Stands for Progress, but Objects to publics money spending…both farmers & city dwellers, roads schools…compare with other areas. Get out the vote, 50 signatures, inc. JPH.
. 1922 Jul 30 Anti Annexation Meeting, next day evening at the junction of Nebraska & Cayuga Aves., an open air meeting, among he speakers JPH, Hamilton Heath.
. 1922 Aug 26 - Editor Tampa Tribune: What do I get? & you say What more do you want, stating we have light & power for which we pay. We buy our goods fromTampa stores, rather than Sear. Tampa is not giving a singe thing to the suburbs today
. 1922 Oct 19 - Springs property owners cede 25 feet for the opening right of way for straightening Nebraska ave. & building $50,000 concrete bridge across the Hillsborough river. The give 25 ft. from the west end of their lots while gaining 15 ft. on the east side. Mr H. agreed to give Mrs. Alexander on Lot 6, 15 off of his lot five. We don't like the way commissioners take orders from certain interests of the Board of Trade. We are asking for fairness of treatment.
Signed, J P Hamilton, R.F.D. 1, Hamilton Heath , Fla.
. 1922 Nov 18 & 19. Water mains placed at Sulphur Springs & recently installed a power pumping plant. Purity Springs water comes from his own springs.
1922 Dec 11 - For sale 40 foot tower & 3,000 gallon cypress tank in good condition, $75, Phone 91 247, Hamilton Heath.
. 1923 Jan 1 - For sale or rent, at bargain, 6 rm.bungalow & garage, large lot close to corner, Buffalo Ave & Tampa St. JPH.
. 1922 Dec 17, Sun. Hamilton Piano Company, PJ Hamilton proprietor & manager had a successful business in spite of being blind. For 1871, the son of a Methodist minister, attended school for blind in Lansing, graduated at 18y, learned piano tuning & broom making. Business in Mich., married a teacher in Battle Creek, went to Europe to study for year. Mr. H. came south to Tampa & est. Hamilton Heath suburb just this side of Sulphur Springs. In August 1922 he purchased the Scott store & is rapidly developing it with his son J K Hamilton. Hamilton Piano Co. carries standard makes of instruments: Vose & Sons pianos, Hallet & Davis pianos & phonographs, Hobart M Calbe pianos, Kumball Pianos & phonographs, Gulbransen player pianos & other instruments at a 10% discount bought this week.
. 1923 Oct 7 - Montverde is a recipient of fine new Gerhard Piano, the gift of JH who was so favorably impressed with the school he without solicitation gave the in the new C. E. Chapel of the School.
. 1924 Mar 23, Realty Transfers, JPH to C E Hamilton [?] ; and JPH to JK Hamilton.
. 1927 Jul 3, JPHleft several days ago fo Berkley, Calif, to visit a a few weeks with relatives. He wired his family that he encountered a land slide near Salt Lake City, Utah, a land slide blocking his train 48 hrs. in the mountains food supply of diners well as water was soon exhaust & passengers had to go 12 hrs. with food or water.
Ref: Tampa Tribune Newspaper, Florida.
The Lake Shore Commercial Record Newspaper, for the Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan Area, Pub. every Saturday morning:
. 28 AUG, 1885 - Jimmie Hamilton of Johnsville, [Jonesville?] is visiting his Uncle Alexander.
Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - - [1, 2]
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1871 - 1953 (81 years)