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By By The Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery
We have all heard stories about the woman behind the man and the devoted husband doing anything his wife bids.
This couple shared their love with their community and the nation. Mr. and Mrs. Edward LaRue Hamilton loved one another deeply and they touched all who crossed their paths.
Hamilton was born on a farm north of the city in Niles Township on Dec. 9, 1857, the son of Edward LaRue Sr. and Margaret Jamison Hamilton. Educated through the Niles school system and the University of Michigan, he returned home to the farm upon the death of his father in 1876.
By 1881 he had begun his study of law in the offices of Judge O.W. Coolridge. Three years later he was admitted to the bar.
In 1883, he married the pastor's daughter. Cora B. Eddy was the daughter of Niles Presbyterian Church pastor, the Rev. Alfred Eddy. They were married 32 years.
The Hamiltons lived in a large home on the southeast corner of Sixth and Broadway streets, which became part of the King Apartment complex.
Hamilton had a renowned gift for oration. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1896 following a three day nominating convention which was described as "exciting" in the record of his life in The History of Berrien County.
His career was impressive as he served the Fourth District of Michigan for 12 years, nominated five times without the least opposition. The well-loved man was cited by colleagues for his energy and non-partisan fairness of service to the many committees he was part of.
Due to his exemplary service in one instance, Hamilton was the only man to hold the unique record of being "the father of three states." The title was bestowed for his having been involved in the introduction and enactment of the legislation for statehood of Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico.
A biography from the Niles Daily Star of June 11, 1914 states: "He was a member of the sub-committee which framed the organic act for the territory of Hawaii when it became a part of the United States. Later he became chairman of the same committee and in that capacity became the author of the act reorganizing the government of Alaska…"
His speeches attracted wide attention particularly when they concerned campaign issues. Many of those were circulated by campaign committees of his Republican party "to the number of several million copies during his service," the biography goes on to say.
In Niles. the post office on Main and Fourth streets was a product of his efforts locally. He also was instrumental in promoting Rural Free Mail Delivery to the farms in Michigan – a tribute to his remembrance of a childhood on the farm, no doubt.
The Parrot Rifle Cannon which proudly graced the grounds of the American Legion Post on Miller Drive was Hamilton's doing as was the plaque embedded in a field boulder at City Hall. It is dedicated to the Spanish-American War Veterans fashioned from metal which came from the Battleship Main. Although he was not a veteran, the love he showed them saw veterans of that war to name their post after him.
However no amount of honors or esteem could dull the pain of losing the wife who had stood by his side for 32 years. They say he never really recovered from the blow.
She died in Washington and although some back home in Niles knew she had not been in good health for many months the news of her death came as a shock to the community. Her obituary spoke of love the community gave back to this "beloved lady" brought home to rest in Silverbrook Cemetery.
"To a gentle spirit, she added rare ability, common sense and judgment. But her culture and her capability never lessened her sympathy nor removed her from the touch of this world around her." This was a quite a recognition for a woman who had largely been away serving in Washington with her husband for several years.
"Many will remember her for remembering them in their trouble; many because she shared with them the pleasant things that came to her; many only for the happy genuine smile that always lighted her face." How the world today could use more like her.
When she died she was survived by three sisters and a brother. This couple had made the communities they served their family.
Hamilton himself died in St. Joseph from acute heart dilation while recovering from what at first seemed to be a successful heart operation. He was 66. Perhaps more than anything he died of a broken heart and after living eight years without his beloved Cora, determined to join her.
His career was impressive, but perhaps even more so is to have a couple so fondly remembered and so sorrowfully missed by a community they left to improve. Hamilton too was buried in Silverbrook.
For more information on Friends of Silverbrook with regards to memberships and work days to help restore and catalog the monuments contact: Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery c/o 508 E. Main St. Niles MI 49120, Tim and Candace Skalla at 684-2455, wskalla@sbcglobal.net or contact Ginny Tyler at 445-0997, SPHINX1974@aol.com.