James M. HAMILTON, M.D., was born in Giles (now Bland) County, Va., July 1, 1851, the son of Timothy and Margaret (Moore) HAMILTON, the former of Scotch-Irish origin, and born in Boteourt County, Va., in 1817, and the latter of Irish stock, born in Giles County, Virginia, in 1812, and both living in Bland County, Virginia. The father was bound out as a blacksmith, and when of age, had only his trade, a homespun suit and 50 cents in money; but he afterward bought land and engaged in farming, and is now wealthy. Both parents are Methodists. The father served two years in the Confederate Army.
Our subject, the youngest of five children, was fairly educated, afterward taught school, and was deputy clerk, under his brother, for several years, earning money to educate himself. In 1872 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore. After four years’ practice at Mechanicsburg, Va., he became deputy county clerk in charge of his brother’s office, the latter having gone to Florida, and shortly afterward died there. After his brother’s death he served one term as clerk. In 1881 he resumed the practice of his profession, getting a large business and continuing successfully until 1883, when he removed to this State, where he commenced a large practice in Powell’s Valley, where he lives and farms, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the most successful physicians in Claiborne County.
In 1873 he married Annie E. MUSTARD, of Giles County, Va. Their children are Emma G. and Samuel H. He and his wife are Methodists, and he is a Democrat.
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee. Chicago: Goodspeed, 1887.