Ruth Hamilton

Ruth Hamilton

• Father: John Hamilton b. say 1845
• Mother: Waitey Teeter b. say 1845

• Ruth Hamilton was born on 11 December 1871 in Esquessing, Halton County, Ontario, Canada.
• She married Lafayette Hannigan, son of Peter Hannigan and Lydia (?), on 7 November 1887 in Hamilton, Wentworth County, Ontario, Canada, by license, with Wm Jno Maxwell officiating. Witnesses were J. H. Maxwell and Lizzie M. Crooker, both of Hamilton. At the time of their marriage, Lafayette was living in Ridgeville, and Ruth in Esquesing.
• Ruth Hamilton and Lafayette Hannigan appeared in the 6 April 1891 census of Canada in Saltfleet Township, Wentworth South, Ontario, Canada. Other members of the household included William Hannigan.
• She and Lafayette Hannigan arrived in Canada circa 1892, accompanied by Eva Lena Hannigan according to the 1900 census.
• Ruth Hamilton arrived circa 1896, according to the 1920 census.
• Ruth Hamilton arrived in 1896, from Canada, Naturalized, 1920 census.
• Lafayette Hannigan and Ruth Hamilton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at Lockport Road. Other members of the household included Eva Lena Hannigan and Sylvester Hannigan.
• Lafayette Hannigan and Ruth Hamilton appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1821 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Eva Lena Hannigan, Sylvester Hannigan and Frederick Hamilton Hannigan.
• Johannes Kämmerer and Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 2307 Lockport Road. Other members of the household included Ruth Hamilton. Ruth Hamilton Hannigan, boarding in the household, was employed as a private nurse by the elder Kammerers; her son Sylvester "Buzz" will marry their granddaughter Louise Ford.
• Apparently Lafayette Hannigan left his family in 1906. According to US border crossings records, on 26 November 1910 Lafayette Hannigan (last permanent residence Stevensville, Ontario) applied to join his daughter Lena in Ransomville, New York, for an indefinite stay. According to that record, he had resided in Niagara Falls from 1889 to 1906. Note: "Debarred."
• In a letter dated 18 February 1912 to Philippina Kammerer, Anna Elisabetha Dexheimer wrote from Suspension Bridge, Niagara County, New York:
  Dearly beloved daughter, son-in-law, and children,
       With a deeply troubled heart I take up my pen to write you the sad news of your dear father. He died after 5 weeks of grave illness. He had lost his mind. Oh, you dear ones, you can’t imagine the trouble we had with him. He knew no one except his dear mother. This was his consolation. Oh, he was so terribly ill, it was painful for all of us. Your brothers and sisters did so much for him. Now the . . .
       The good Lord has taken him home. Now he rests with his two dear children. He suddenly became deathly ill on January 3, and he died on February 5 at half past four in the morning. Peace to his ashes. Now he rests in the cool lap of the earth, free from all pain and suffering. Now he rests in the cool lap of the earth until one day we see each other again with delight before the throne of God. Sleep well, sleep well.
       Dear daughter, you said you’d like to have something of your father’s that he often carried/wore. I thought I would send you his kabe? He carried/wore this every day. Oh, how it hurts me to write this. Oh, dear daughter, I could write it with my tears, but I must console myself. Your sisters are all so good to me. That consoles me. I think your sisters will write to you. How is your dear Schali. Is his foot getting better? I hope you are all well.
       I want to end my letter with warmest regards to all of you from your loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
       God’s blessing in closing. Your loving mother.
  Mrs. Hannigan also sends her regards. She is still with me. Read the enclosed. Amen. Write soon.
• She married Anton Leslie on 14 June 1916 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, in the parsonage of Zion Lutheran Church.
• The following appeared on 15 June 1916 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Announcement is made of the marriage yesterday afternoon at four o'clock at the parsonage of the Zion Lutheran Church, of Miss [sic] Ruth Hannigan and Anton Leslie of this city. The attendants were Eva L. Burt and Sylvester Hannigan, and the Rev. Herman Brezing officiated. After a trip to Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie will reside at 1888 Ontario avenue.
• Anton Leslie appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 2108 Ontario Avenue. Other members of the household included Ruth Hamilton, Frederick Hamilton Hannigan and Sylvester Hannigan. Also in the household was 8-year-old grandson Edwin W. Burt.
• Ruth Hamilton died on 14 December 1940 at age 69 in Lewiston, Niagara County, New York, at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.
• Anton Leslie became a widower at her death.
• She was interred at Riverdale Cemetery, Lewiston, Niagara County, New York.
• The following appeared on 16 December 1940 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Ruth Leslie, 68 years old, wife of Anton Leslie, 2108 Ontario avenue, died in Mount St. Mary's hospital Saturday night after a brief illness.
       A native of Milton, Ont., Mrs. Leslie had lived in this city for the last 50 years. She was an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran church. Besides her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Homer Burt, Mrs. Eugene L. Boesken and Mrs. Stephen Taylor, all of this city; two sons, Sylvester Hannigan, of Lockport, and Frederick Hannigan, of Toledo, Ohio; a sister, Mrs. W. Atkinson, of Himilton, Ont., and a brother, John Hamilton, of Burlington, Ont. Twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive.
       Funeral services will be held at the family home at 2 p.m. Wednesday and at Zion church at 2:30 p.m., the Rev. Arthur H. Schmoyer officiating. Burial will be in Riverdale cemetery.

• Last Edited: 11 Aug 2014