businessman, manufacturer, b. Two Rivers. He worked for a time as a lathe operator, and in 1880 began the manufacture of wooden printing type. In 1889 the business was incorporated as the J. E. Hamilton Manufacturing Co., which eventually became one of the largest manufacturers of wooden type in the country. He later expanded the scope of the firm's interest by manufacturing dental, medical, laboratory, and engineering equipment, as well as home appliances and nursery furniture. Hamilton was mayor of Two Rivers (1893-1895), and reorganized the bank of Two Rivers, serving as its president for many years. In 1931 he built and donated the J. E. Hamilton Community House to the city of Two Rivers. Hamilton retired in 1920, and moved to Pasadena, Calif. M. R. Byers, J. E. Hamilton (Two Rivers, Wis., 1932); L. Falge, ed., Hist. of Manitowoc Co. (2 vols., Chicago [1912]); Milwaukee Sentinel, May 8, 1940.

View newspaper clippings at Wisconsin Local History and Biography Articles.

Learn More

Dictionary of Wisconsin History

Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.

[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]