WILLIAM L. HAMBLETON, deceased. In writing the history of this County,
and especially that of Mound City, the writers have endeavored to preserve
the history of some deserving men — men who have done something for the
people, perhaps done more for the people than for themselves; self-made men,
who practically commenced life with their own resources, with less than a
limited education, with no long list of crowned ancestry, but who were
endowed with pluck, perseverance, a vitality and nerve which overcomes all
obstacles, that break down the weak but that aid in strengthening the will
and character of the self-made man. Many of our successful business men have
accumulated fortunes, while others that toiled just as hard, bore the same
or more hardships, have not been as successful, owing to their large
heartedness, their readiness to aid those in trouble or distress, whose
heart and purse were open to all, regardless of color, isms, or politics. To
the latter class belongs the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears
in this work. He was known only to be loved and respected. His name is
spoken by the rough-and-ready river or railroad men, as one would speak of a
friend that sticks closer than a brother. He has reared for himself a
monument in the hearts of his fellow-men, that rivals the one in the
National Cemetery, in whose construction he was instrumental, being one of
the Commissioners. His whole life has been more devoted to the interest and
happiness of others than his own. In the simple, but expressive language of
the people who knew him, he was called a "man" in every sense of the word.
He was born November 15, 1825, in Maryland. His father, Thomas
Hambleton, was a ship-carpenter by occupation. He was of Scotch descent, the
old family name being Hambledown. William L. Hambleton served his
apprenticeship as ship-carpenter in Cincinnati, where he afterward, in
company with his brother, Samuel T., started a shipyard. In 1860, he
permanently located in Mound City, where he and his brother operated a
ship-yard, better known as the "marine ways."
Here he was joined in
matrimony, December 31, 1863, to Sarah E. Kain, born April 1, 1840, in
Clermont County, Ohio. Her father, Daniel Kain, a farmer in Clermont County,
was of German descent. Her mother, Jane Tate, a native of New Jersey, was a
daughter of Thomas Tate, a native of Scotland, and a cooper by occupation.
Jane Tate was the mother of nine children, of whom the last seven were
children by her second husband, Nelson Applegate. Mrs. Sarah E. Hambleton is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her life is devoted to the
interest of her interesting family, which consists of six children now
living, of whom the three oldest are children from her late husband's first
wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Tate, who died June 9, 1862. The children
are Adaline F., the wife of G. T. Whitlock; Thomas H., born October 7, 1858;
Sarah E., born November 11, I860; Lilie, born August 13, 1868; Jessie H.,
born March 31, 1870, and Alfred S., born August 15, 1873.
William L.
Hambleton was a man whose place has not been filled since his demise, which
occurred January 29, 1883, in Mound City, which place he had also served as
City Treasurer, member of the City Council, and was also appointed one of
the Commissioners for the building of the State House of Springfield, Ill.
His memory will be cherished by all with whom he came in contact.
Extracted 02 Nov 2014 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V - Biographical Sketches, pages 264-265.
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| Alexander |
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Massac McCracken KY |
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