This is Archibald Hamilton, born in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1856. Archie, as he was known, apprenticed in building trades as a bricklayer. By 1880 he had come to America and was living with his older brother James in Providence Rhode Island. It did not take long for him to see that his future was here in the states. He was convinced by his friend and fellow Scotsman Alex Harvey to head west to Denver Colorado. William Harvey, Alex's brother was already there with hopes to start the W & A Harvey contracting business. Archie went to work as a stone mason for a rival contractor. The death of William Harvey in 1890 brought Alex and Archie together to form Hamilton & Harvey Company. Together they were involved in doing stone work for some of Denver's most well known buildings. Included were the Brown Palace, Church of Christian Science, and the original city hall.
Archie married Isabel Scott in 1891 and they had 5 children, including my grandfather William P Hamilton. One of Williams possessions passed on to me is a 1910 daily calendar used by Archie for appointments and business notes.
Feeling the paper and reading his written words is a unique experience. It is especially significant because of his entry of an appointment in Phoenix Arizona in late February. While in Phoenix he became ill and died on March 12, 1910 at the age of 54.
The men and women of this era have a special place in our family and our countries history. They are the true builders of the west.
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