Isaac Miller Hamilton

Isaac Miller Hamilton was born on September 6, 1864, in Ash Grove, Illinois. The son of a successful businessman, Hamilton attended private school at Grand Prairie Seminary. In 1881, at the age of sixteen, he established a store with Tunis Young in Ash Grove. Young & Hamilton became a successful banking and real estate house, later moving to Cissna Park. Hamilton was admitted to the bar in 1889 and established a practice focused on chancery, probate, and corporate law. Hamitlon became town attorney for Cissna Park when it was incorporated.[1]

Hamilton did not seek any other public office until 1896, when he successfully ran for a seat on the Illinois Senate. During his term, he moved to Chicago to establish the law form of Hamilton & Atkinson. He co-founded the Federal Life Insurance Company with J. Ellsworth Griffin and was appointed its first president.[1] Hamilton served as president until 1939, when he was named chairman of the board. He later became chairman of the Lake Shore National Bank.

Hamilton was a member of the Union League Club of Chicago. He was active in Freemasonry, attaining the rank of 32nd degree Mason. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, and Tribe of Ben-Hur. He was president of the Illinois State League of Republican Clubs and the National Republican League.[1] He died at his home in Chicago on August 11, 1952, and was buried in Rosehill Cemetery.[2]