Ezra Hamilton

Ezra M. Hamilton
Born	February 22, 1833 Brown County, Illinois
Died	July 4, 1914 Willow Springs, California
Nationality	United States
Occupation	Prospector; developer; inventor

Ezra M. Hamilton (1833–1914) was a pioneer known for his role in the development of Antelope Valley, California. In 1896 he discovered gold in Rosamond, California and began a successful mining operation that spurred growth in the area. He founded and developed the nearby town of Willow Springs. He was also an inventor, farmer, mason and businessman, served on the Los Angeles Common Council, volunteered in the Rogue River Wars and served two years in the Union Army.

Hamilton was born in 1833 in Brown County, Illinois, spent his boyhood there and "worked a short time on a riverboat before heading west to seek his fortune" in 1853.

On his journey West he fell in love with a young woman, but they were prevented from marrying by Ezra's stubborn desire to first make his fortune prospecting in California. [In the book he wrote about his adventures, he] never reveals her identity, but his life is shaped by their relationship. . . . after seven years his lady friend married another.

He returned to Minnesota after the American Civil War and there he found another woman, Sarah Landson, and they were married in 1861; they lived in the Minneapolis, area. Sarah and their son died in 1867.

Hamilton married again, to Harriet Moffett, and they had four sons, Fred, Truman, Eugene and Lester. While residing in Los Angeles, they lived at 310 Avenue 23 in today's Lincoln Heights district, East Los Angeles, in a house he built on first arriving.

He was a commander of the Kenesaw post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Hamilton died in Willow Springs, California, on July 4, 1914, the tenth anniversary of his marriage to Harriet, and he was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles. FHe left his widow and three sons, Fred of Willow Springs, Lester of Avenue 23 and Trumon of Rosamond.

...
Wikipedia