William Thomas Hamilton

William Thomas Hamilton (September 8, 1820 – October 26, 1888), a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 38th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1880 to 1884. He also served in the United States Senate, representing the State of Maryland, from 1868–1874, and in the House of Representatives, representing the second district (1849–1853) and fourth district (1853–1855) of Maryland.

William Thomas Hamilton
38th Governor of Maryland
In office January 14, 1880 – January 9, 1884
Preceded by	John Lee Carroll
Succeeded by	Robert Milligan McLane
United States Senator from Maryland
In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	William Pinkney Whyte
Succeeded by	William Pinkney Whyte
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 4th district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855
Preceded by	Thomas Yates Walsh
Succeeded by	Henry Winter Davis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by	James D. Roman
Succeeded by	Jacob Shower
Maryland House of Delegates
In office 1846–1849
Personal details
Born	September 8, 1820 Boonsboro, Maryland
Died	October 26, 1888 (aged 68) Hagerstown, Maryland
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Clara Holmes Jenness Hamilton
Children	eight children
National Governors Association, Governor's Information, Maryland Governor William Thomas Hamilton

Early life and politics

Hamilton was born in Boonsboro, Maryland, and received early schooling from a local tutor named John Brown. He went on to attend Hagerstown Academy, and later Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, from 1836–1840. After college, Hamilton studied law with former Maryland Congressman John Thomson Mason, Jr., and was admitted to the bar in 1845. He then commenced law practice in Hagerstown, Maryland.

In 1846, Hamilton was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, but failed to win re-election in 1847. He was, however, elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first, Thirty-second, and Thirty-third Congresses, serving from March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1855. While Hamilton was in Congress, even though his district was largely manufacturers and miners, he supported tariffs but only as a source of revenue for the government. Other actions while in Congress included his tenure as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia during the Thirty-third Congress.

From 1855 until 1868, Hamilton avoided politics and resumed the practice of law and farming in Hagerstown. During that time, he became widely known throughout Western Maryland as an excellent trial lawyer.

United States Senate

After his long absence from politics, Hamilton was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate by the General Assembly, and served from March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1875. Hamilton was a strong supporter of restoring southern sovereignty following the American Civil War, but voted against the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which granted voting rights to all men regardless of race.

In 1871, Hamilton endorsed William Pinkney Whyte during the Maryland governor campaign, but regretted the decision thereafter following Whyte's actions as governor. In 1874, Hamilton was abandoned by the state Democratic Party during the nomination process for his senate seat, and was not considered by them for re-election. Instead, Hamilton ran for governor in 1875, but lost his party's nomination to fellow Democrat John Lee Carroll.

Governor of Maryland

After failing to receive nomination for governor, Hamilton again stepped away from the political arena, returning to his previous engagements in Western Maryland. During that time, however, he continued to push persistently for a Democratic nomination as governor of Maryland, which he succeeding in doing in 1879. Hamilton faced future U.S. Postmaster General, Republican James Albert Gary, during the election, and defeated him by more than 22,000 votes.[1]

As governor, Hamilton regularly conflicted with the state legislature, believing they were neglecting the state's economy. He sought to reduce government waste by abolishing excessive offices and positions, such as the office of Weighers of Grain and Hay, but again the legislature refused to cooperate with his program. He retired as governor on January 8, 1884, retaining popular support throughout the state. His hostile treatment of the legislature as governor, however, had made the state Democratic party again unreceptive towards him.

Hamilton returned to Hagerstown where he avoided further involvement in state and national politics. He returned to the practice of law, but also worked to improve the city and county public works, streets, and water supply. He was maintained a great deal of popularity in Hagerstown and the surrounding areas, and his death following a long battle with illness was widely mourned. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery (Maryland).

His daughter Josephine married the inventor Hiram Percy Maxim. His daughter Clare married Hayden Eames, brother of the opera singer Emma Eames. His granddaughter was actress Clare Eames, his great-granddaughter is actress Jennifer Howard, and his great-great-grandson is actor Tony Goldwyn.[2]

References

1. "Maryland-Colored voters shot down and driven away from the polls". The New York Times. November 5, 1879.
2. "CLARE EAMES DEAD; BRILLIANT ACTRESS; American Star Underwent Two Operations During Illness of Three Weeks. WON SUCCESS IN LONDON Enthusiastically Received by Critics and Public--Had Made Reputation Before Going Abroad". November 9, 1930 – via NYTimes.com.

• United States Congress. "William Thomas Hamilton (id: H000118)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Maryland Archives biography