2nd great-grandfather of Cynthia Wentzloff

Private       Co. D    1st Engineers and Mechanics
Dates of Service:  21 Dec 1863 - 12 May 1865

Isiah B. Hamilton was born on November 10, 1827 to Solomon Lee and Margaret Hudnut Hamilton, in Nunda, Livingston County, New York. The New York 1855 census shows Isiah with wife Mary Elizabeth Gray Hamilton living in Mt. Morris, Livingston County, New York. They were married in 1854. In 1860 he was 32 and his wife Mary was 28 living in Grandville, Kent, Michigan. He was a farmer.

Isiah (Isaiah B.)  “Enlisted in Co. D, Michigan 1st Engineers and Mechanics, December 21, 1863 at Grandville, for 3 years, age 37. Mustered December 24, 1863. Artificer. Discharged for disability at Detroit, Mich., May 12, 1865” 

In 1870 he was living in Grandville, Kent, Michigan and the census listed him as a carpenter. He and Mary had three sons, James age 14, Isaiah age 6, and Harvey age 4. The 1880 census listed Isiah at age 53 and a farmer. His wife Mary was 49. Their son, James, was listed with fever and augh (spelling), sickness and disability.

On August 4, 1890 Isiah B. Hamilton filed for a pension – Application no. 874,321. Certificate No. 884,133 indicated that he was granted a pension.

By 1900 Isiah and Mary were living in Wyoming, Kent, Michigan. They owned their own home and it was mortgage free. (The home still stands on Fayette St. SW in Grandville) Mary’s mother Rebecca Gray, age 90, was living with them.

It may be noted that Isiah’s middle name was listed as Burrows, Burritt, and Barber. On his death certificate his name is listed as Isaiah Barber Hamilton. The Barber was written over another middle name which only faintly shows through, which is neither Burrows nor Burritt.

He died on January 19, 1908 of apoplexy contributed by old age. His occupation was listed at Farmer (Retired). He had been treated by Dr. Wedgwood since June 1, 1907. Isiah’s wife, Mary, had died on July 26, 1901.

GRAVESITE: Grandville Cemetery, Grandville, Kent, MI

Written by Wenda Fore, March 2020