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Biography--Americans

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MRS. JOHN B. HAMILTON ROBERT S. HAMILTON JOHN B. HAMILTON

ROBERT G. HAMILTON was born in Bath county, West Virginia, on the 2d day of February, 1824, and came to this county in April, 1843, four years before the coming of the colony from Holland. He learned the carpenter trade in his youth, but after coming to this county he settled about four miles southeast of Pella and engaged in farming until 1855, when he moved to Pella and worked at his trade of contractor and builder until 1872, after which he engaged in the lumber business. Mr. Hamilton was a man of strong religious convictions and during his entire life in this community took a leading part in church work. He was one of the organizers of the Methodist church and a leader in the congregation until the day of his death. No man was ever held in greater esteem by our people, both Americans and Hollanders, than Robert G. Hamilton. We have often heard the story of the valuable assistance he rendered to the leaders of the Holland colony when they came here as strangers, needing the guidance and help of men whose character was above reproach.

WELLINGTON NOSSAMAN was born in Monroe county, Virginia, April 12, 1817, and removed with his parents to Pike county, Kentucky, when two years of age. He was raised on a farm and attended the common schools. In his sixteenth year he removed to Indianapolis, Ind., remaining there nine years, and in 1842 came to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county. Resided there one year and on the 17th of March, 1842, he married Miss Sarah Welsh, a native of North Carolina, born February 26, 1825. On the first of May, 1843, he came to Lake Prairie township and took up a claim on the Des Moines river, three miles south of Pella, built a log cabin (which to Mr. Nossaman's knowledge was the second in the county), and broke a piece of ground. He built the first horse mill for grinding corn in the county, and in partnership with his

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WELLINGTON NOSSAMAN

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