S. Hamilton: Union Party Candidate for Walla Walla County Commissioner, May 1867.

January 24, 2006

Here's more interesting information on 'S. Hamilton.' I believe (it's an assertion at this point) this is a reference to Supplina Hamilton. S. Hamilton is a candidate on the Union Party Ticket (later to merge with the Republican Party) for Walla Walla County Commissioner in 1867. There were three open commissioner seats. The Union Party fielded their strongest candidates hoping to sweep the positions. S. Hamilton was running on the Union Ticket with S.M. Wait the founder of Waitsburg, WA and Supplina's future neighbor near Waitsburg. We know from US Census Records that Supplina's family lived near Lebanon, Linn County Oregon in 1860 (as a farmer) and near Aumsville in Marion County Oregon in 1870 (as a blacksmith). According to 1880 and 1900 US Census records their daugher Pyrene was born in Washington Territory in 1867. So, we know that Supplina and Jane were in Washington during the ten years between 1860 and 1870. We know from Disciples of Christ Records (to be published on the site shortly) that Supplina was associated with the church in Dixie, WA as early as 1867. It's not as unusual as it may seem that there would be migration too and from the Willamette and Walla Walla valleys. Walla Walla was most developed area in Washington Territory in this era. Seattle was still small and Spokane had yet to be founded. Early maps of the territories make this relationship clear. There was 'express' mail and coach service between Walla Walla and the Willamette Valley. This 4 megabyte PDF file is page 3 from the Walla Walla Statesman on May 31, 1867 (be sure to enlarge it once the PDF opens). S. Hamilton is mentioned on the Union Ticket near the top of column 1. S. Hamilton ultimately lost the election of 1867 (though S.M. Wait won a seat) and likely returned to Oregon for a time.

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