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- Hamilton, Jones Stewart, late adjutant-general of Mississippi, ex-lieutenant-colonel of cavalry in the Confederate service, and formerly a member of the senate of the State of Mississippi, was born in Wilkinson county, this State, and is a son of Col. William S. and Eliza C. (Stewart) Hamilton. The former was a lieutenant-colonel of the United States army and while in active service he descended with his command down the Mississippi river from Fort Rock Island, Ill., in a flat boat and took part in the battle of New Orleans, at the time of the War of 1812. While returning North by an overland route he and his troops made encampment near the line between Louisiana and Mississippi, for the purpose of securing needed rest, and here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Stewart, daughter of Col. Duncan Stewart, at one time lieutenant-governor of Mississippi. After reaching the north with his command he set out as soon as possible for Mississippi, where he married Miss Stewart. He then resigned his office in the army and located in West Feliciana Parish, La., where later he took up his residence, in which State both he and his wife continued to reside until their death.
Col. Jones Stewart Hamilton was afforded excellent educational advantages in his youth, having been graduated from Centenary college, at Jackson, La., as a member of the class of 1854. After leaving school he was for two years associated with his father in the work and management of the home plantation, and he then took up his residence in Woodville, Wilkinson county. In January, 1856, Colonel Hamilton was united in marriage to (his cousin) Miss Caroline Stewart, who died in November, 1861, leaving two children, both of whom are still living - William S., who is engaged in the mercantile business in Jackson, Miss., while his sister lives on his place in Rankin county, Miss. In 1858 Colonel Hamilton was elected sheriff of Wilkinson county, and was chosen as his own successor two years later. Early in 1861 he resigned the shrievalty in order to go forth in defense of the cause of the Confederacy at the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted as a member of the first company that left Wilkinson and went to Virginia and was made first lieutenant of this company, which became Company K, a part of the Sixteenth Mississippi regiment. In 1862 he was appointed adjutant-general of the State of Mississippi and was ordered back to Jackson to report to Gov. John J. Pettus and to take charge of the organizing and mustering in of the companies for the Confederate service. In the autumn of 1863 Colonel Hamilton was elected to the State senate from the district comprising the counties of Wilkinson, Adams and Amite, and in the same autumn, upon the inauguration of Governor Clark, he resigned his office of adjutant-general and resumed his place in the Confederate service, being made lieutenant-colonel in the cavalry arm of said service. He was in command of a battalion of cavalry which was later attached to the regiment commanded by Col. Frank Powers, in which regiment he remained until he was paroled, May 19, 1865. At the close of the war Colonel Hamilton returned to Jackson, and shortly afterward he was again elected a member of the State senate, representing the Hinds county district. He identified himself forthwith with the planting industry, putting forth earnest efforts during the trying period of recon struction and meeting with fair success during the re-adjustment of the prostrate fortunes of the fair Southland. He was appointed deputy auditor and served the State acceptably for nearly five years. With this line of enterprise he has ever since been concerned, being the owner of an attractive property in Hinds and also in Rankin county, and being one of the well known and highly honored citizens of Jackson, where he has maintained his home for many years. In 1877 the colonel consummated a second marriage, being united to Miss Fanny Buck, of Jackson, and they have four children - Robert B., Charles B. and Mary, having had the misfortune to lose their oldest boy, Jones S., by an accident in his splendid young manhood. In 1898, at the inception of the Spanish-American war, Colonel Hamilton's military experience and high standing led to the bringing of his services into requisition in behalf of his country, and he was appointed adjutant-general under Governor McLaurin, to take charge of the organization of the regiments sent forth by the State to take part in the war. He rendered most timely and efficient service, and since the discharge of the troops he has been engaged in collecting and pay ing over to the men for the State the amounts due them previous to their being mustered into the United States service. The colonel is a prominent figure in the ranks of the Democracy and has been an active worker in the cause for many years past. He is a member of the Episcopal church, a Knight Templar, Mason, and Knight of Honor.
[Mississippi Biography Vol III 1907 -- Transcribed by Gene Phillips]
Jones Stewart Hamilton was a Lt. Col. in the Confederate Army.
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