Genealogy Data Page 527 (Notes Pages)

Note: The History of Lee County, Iowa - Western Historical CO. 1879

Smith Hamill, of the firm of S. Hamill and Co., wholesale grocers of Keokuk, is the oldest, continuous grocery dealer in the Gate City. His present business was established in the spring of 1852, when he started a small retail trade, which later was merged into the wholesale, and is now operating extensively in the latter business. Mr. Hamill came to Keokuk in 1846, the same year that Iowa was admitted into the Union as a State. He was born in Lawrence County, PA, July 23,1815, his father being John Hamill, a well-to-do farmer of the Keystone State. He remained with his parents until manhood, and then, crossing the Mississippi, Located in Keokuk, where he has since resided and become prominently identified with its business interests.
Mr. Hamill was a member of the first Iowa State Legislature, helping to frame its laws. He is President of the Iowa State Insurance Company, besides holding positions of trust in other prominent institutions of the city. Religiously he is connected with the United Presbyterian Church, of Keokuk, and is and Elder in the same.

History of Lee County - 1915

Smith Hamill, who came to Lee County in 1846 and located in Keokuk in 1852, was a man of unusual force of character and left an indelible impress for good on all with whom he came in contact. Born July 23, 1815, in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, a son of John Hamill, his early life was spent at hard work on the home farm, attending the neighboring schools to a limited extent. Perhaps the rigid training of his youth had much to do with his success in life; possibly, too, the wise counsel of God-fearing parents entered into this, but coupled with it all was the sprit that dared to do and to do right. He came west and settled on a farm in Jackson township, Lee County, Iowa, in 1846, being engaged in its operation for six years. It was during this time that his worth was recognized by his election to the first legislature of the state of Iowa, held at Iowa City. While always interested in public matters, Mr. Hamill was in no sense a politician, his liking being for commerce and for the pleasures of home. He removed from the farm to Keokuk in 1852 and founded the wholesale grocery house that yet bears his name. While new to business, his keen foresight enabled him to successfully surmount the panic of 1857 and subsequent panics with honor and unimpaired credit. His history was a part of the formative period of Keokuk.
Mr Hamill was a man of strong character. He belonged to the United Presbyterian church, in which for years he was an elder. A strong advocate of the temperance cause, he was an example in practicing what he preached. For a long time he was a member of the Keokuk school board. Of the many that benefited by his counsel and sound advice was the Iowa State Insurance Company, of which he was president for a considerable length of time. His death, which occurred November 8,1895, was a distinct loss to the city and county. The house he founded over sixty years ago is now being continued by his sons, D. B. and B. A. Hamill, under the name of the S. Hamill Company.

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Keokuk Ward 1, Lee, IA

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Keokuk Ward 1, Lee, IA

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Hamill, Rosanna Davidson (b. ABT 1840, d. ?)

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Keokuk Ward 1, Lee, IA

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