Albert Lott Hamlin, Part 2

Continued from previous post. Edited for length. For a complete copy of the tribute including Legislation proposed by Al Hamlin, his pioneering of rubber manufacture, politicians he helped put in office and a list of those he left behind please send an email with the request.


Al Hamlin was a frontiersman of the first water. He liked the Indians, knew Sitting Bull and ate buffalo dinner with him on several occasions. He considered the Battle of Wounded Knee, which followed the murder of Sitting Bull in Dec 1890, as the worst crime White man ever committed in all the 400 years of war against the Indians. He stood for fair play and square dealing and tried to pay his honest debts. He loved pioneering and the spirit of building for a better civilization in which people could enjoy life more, and be happier. After all , what kind of lofty thoughts are more noble? He loved his fellow man and stood always willing to help him.. He always tried to make a friend's hard road through life easier. He lived his full span of years-over three score and ten, and should be entitled to a rest, also admittance, we hope, into that other mystic, and more beautiful realm from which no man returns.

Mr. Hamlin leaves behind three daughters and one son. Also, a score of grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One of his grandsons, Lieut. Francis Lee Hamlin, was killed in his 7th Naval battle off Tulagi Point, in the Solomons, on the night of December 1st 1942. Other of his grandsons, and husbands of his granddaughters are in Uncle Sam's service, for which he felt justly proud.

All mourn the loss of the fearless frontier fighter, and one who registered his mark in the annals of the West.

Albert Lott Hamlin, part 1

Maternal Grandfather of Charles Hamlin Walker
Father of Margaret Hamlin Walker
Husband of Ella Frances Skyhawk Hamlin

Copied from article "Dakota Territory and Utah Pioneer Passes On", Pony Express Courier, September 1943

Albert L. Hamlin, former contractor and builder of Dakota and Utah, and member of Utah's early legislatures, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Rowland Walker, Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, on July 7th, and was buried the following Saturday, beside his wife, Ella Skyhawk, who passed away in 1911.

"Al" Hamlin, as he was known throughout the West, was born at Cherry Grove, Minnesota, October 1, 1858. His father, a Civil War soldier, died at Fort Rice, Dakota Territory, in the 60's, while fighting marauding Indians, leaving his wife poor, and with 5 children, all under 6 years of age. With this sort of beginning "Al" started off on the hard road of life. Adversity was his boon companion, and every advancement he made was by sheer pluck, and courage. And to no man was he indebted for his ultimate success.

At an early age he drifted to Dakota Territory where he later helped survey, and stake out counties, one of which today bears his name. As contractor and builder he helped build its first Agricultural College at Brookings. In the '80s the late Scotty Allan drifted into the Territory from Scotland, with a couple of Clydesdale stallions to improve the breed of the stock. He settled at Flandreau, not far from Brookings. Droughts, and Indian trouble drove the two pioneers out, and they didn't meet till 50 years later. Al went to Utah and Allan to Canada. Al, with his bride, Ella Skyhawk, came farther West seeking a new frontier, and, if possible, a humble fortune in the State of Utah. With his yoke fellow and Dakota partner, Elisha Hawxhurst, who also brought his family, they went to work building houses for the late Edward Swan-of on Brigham Young's favorite Gentiles.

Same Pioneer Spirit Manifested
The same interest and energetic spirit that Hamlin exercised in Dakota Territory, was manifested in the new growing territory of Utah, which was booming in the '80s and early '90s. He was an ardent worker for Utah's statehood, and rejoiced on July 16th, 1896 when she was admitted to the Union. He immediately entered into its politics and was supported by a host of friends in his district-both Gentiles and Mormons. Strict alignment with the Republican Party was his choice. He was always known as "Straight Ticket Al Hamlin" and was a staunch extoller of his party's principles and precepts. He died hoping that America would soon give up her will-o-the-wisp rainbow chasing and return to his party's fold.