Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


E. M. HAMILTON, 
 
proprietor of the East Side Pottery, Wells street, East Los Angeles, was born in 
Brown County, Illinois, February 22, 1833. When only sixteen years old he went 
upon the Mississippi River, and when nineteen years of age he started overland 
to California by ox teams and was between four and five months on the way.  He 
was in Oregon and served under General Joseph Lane during the Rogue River Indian 
War, and was in San Francisco in 1856, during the "Vigilants" troubles. Then he 
returned East, to New York and Minnesota. After the breaking out of the war he 
enlisted in the First Minnesota Regiment and served two years; was at the 
surrender of Lee. After the war he returned to Minnesota, and in 1875 came to 
Los Angeles and established the Asbestine Stone Works; made the first cement
pipe that was made in Southern California; also invented the system of 
sub-irrigation, of the Asbestine and continuous cement pipe machine. He 
established his present business in 1884. His pottery is located in East Los 
Angeles, where every convenience is provided to carry on the general operations 
of trade. He drives an extensive business in the manufacture of fire brick, 
hollow brick, drain tile, sewer and water pipe, jugs, stoneware, terra cotta, 
flower pots and ornamental vase work of all kinds. He has doubled the capacity 
of his works and employs from ten to fifteen hands during the busy season. He 
owns his clay mines, and his buildings cover about an acre of ground. He has a 
large practical experience, and gives his personal attention to all the details 
of his business. He is a highly respected citizen. He owns a valuable property 
of eight acres where he now resides, on the East Side, and his residence is the 
fifth or sixth house built in East Los Angeles. He has served two terms in the 
Los Angeles city council. Mr. Hamilton was married April 21, 1867, to Miss 
Harriet Moffett, a native of Illinois, and daughter of Judge Moffett, of that 
State. They have four sons: Fred M., Eugene, Luster, and Truman.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 513
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler