A. Hamilton, blacksmith and wagon maker, and proprietor of an undertaking establishment, is one of the leading business men of the county, and was born in West Tennessee in 1830, being the eldest of three children born to James and Elizabeth Hamilton, who were natives, respectively, of South Carolina and Kentucky. When a young man the father went to Tennessee, where he followed the occupation of farming, and where his wife died, a number of years after their location. He afterward removed to Arkansas, and died in Harrisburg in 1876. A. Hamilton acquired a good practical education in the schools near his home in Tennessee, and like the majority of boys, followed in the footsteps of his father and learned the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade. He was married in that State, in 1853, to Miss Annie E. Huddleston, and there continued to make his home for three years, at which date he moved to Arkansas. While en route, on the 7th of September, he passed through a dense timber land, where the corner stone for the present town of Harrisburg was being placed, and, liking the locality, he determined to make his home in the vicinity. He erected a log house that year, and in March, 1865, put up a good frame dwelling house and store-house, in which he is doing his business at the present time. He has been engaged in merchandising for the past thirty-two years, and during his long career here has established himself firmly as a substantial citizen and an honest and reliable business man. He has always voted the Democratic ticket, but is not a strict partisan. He assisted in incorporating the town, and was a member of the town council for some time. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., and has been a member of the former lodge since 1859. In addition to conducting his store he is interested in the milling business, and has built up a paying trade. Upon the opening of the war Mr. Hamilton remained at home the first year, but in 1862 enlisted in a company under Col. Dobbins, and was an active participant for about eighteen months. He is the father of two children: Pleasant M., and N. E. (Mrs. Clounch).