William Holmes HAMILTON (1853-1931)

WILLIAM HOLMES HAMILTON, agriculturist and grazier, "Dover Farm," Kingscote, is the eldest son of Mr. William Holmes Hamilton, senior, of Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island, and was born in 1854 at Happy Valley, on the site where the Happy Valley reservoir now lies. He received his education at the local public school, and upon the completion of his studies came to Kangaroo Island in a small schooner, "The Albert," under command of Captain Swiggs, landing at American River in 1867. His father had previously purchased from Mr. Reeves, a former manager of the South Australian Company, a section of about one hundred acres, the first in the State surveyed by the Company. Mr. Hamilton walked from American River to this locality, a distance of twenty-five miles, and settling on the property was shortly afterwards joined by the rest of the family. Farming operations were set in train, a portion of the land was successfully cropped, and Mr. Hamilton remained on the island until 1871.

He then proceeded to Port Moorowie, Yorke Peninsula, in order to superintend the development of another property consisting of three sections acquired by his father from the Crown at an earlier date.

Ten years later, at the time of the Government survey of Menzies, on Kangaroo Island, Mr. Hamilton returned and took up about 3,000 acres, which he afterwards considerably augmented. In conjunction with his father and brothers he farmed and grazed this property very successfully until 1904, when the estate was divided, and he retained as his interest about 1,550 acres. Originally the country was capable of carrying very little stock, but owing to the energy and care bestowed upon it by the subject under notice, land that would formerly carry scarcely one sheep to the acre will now support an average of three.

In addition to this farm property, Mr. Hamilton also owns some fine sites in the town and district. He identifies himself with keen interest in all movements relating to the public welfare of Kangaroo Island.

In 1881 he married Annie Freer, eldest daughter of the late Hammer & Co., Adelaide. Mr. George Main, of Cape Willoughby, and has three sons and three daughters. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1891.

- Cyclopedia Of South Australia 1909, p.1009