Lauchlan Alexander Hamilton

Lauchlan Alexander Hamilton
L. A. Hamilton in most books.

Credit Vancouver Archives

Mr. Lauchlan Alexander Hamilton
b- Sept 20, 1852 Penetanguishene ON,
d- Feb 11, 1941 in Toronto ON hospital, after a long illness, age 88

His first wife Isabella (Isobel?) Hamilton, nee Leask
b- abt 1858 in ?
She died in 1885, age 27, of TB
They had one child
Isabella (Isobel?) Ogilvie Hamilton
b- Oct 3, 1881 in Ottawa, Carlton, ON

Apr 10, 1888, in St Mary's Church in Vancouver BC,
He married a second time to
Constance Eaton Hamilton, nee Bodington
b- Sept 26, 1862, in Reg Dist of Stockton, North riding of Yorkshire, UK
d- 1945, in Toronto ON

Lauchlan was the CPR Senior Land Commissioner, and Surveyor.

He arrived by train from Winnipeg, August, 1892, with Mr. Edward Philip Leacock, the New CPR Townsite Agent, and Dr. Scott, who was the first Postmaster and Doctor in Estevan.

The history books say George Murray surveyed the town, but he would have been working for Mr. Hamilton, who I am almost positive, was in charge.
An article dated Aug 24, 1892, states Mr. Hamilton got a Mr. Hall to take a sidewalk level on 4th st. to ensure all the building were built at the same level.
The same article states Villa lots, were laid out by Mr. Hamilton.
CPR's Land Office was at the corner of 11th ave. and 3rd st. (one article says 4th st. which I think is incorrect?)

Aug 16, 1892
Ad Hamilton used to sell lots in Estevan

Aug 20, 1892
Returns to Winnipeg and reports on Estevan progress

And why is he such an important figure in Estevan's History?
Well he was only the guy that surveyed what was to become, The City of Vancouver, is all! Yes he surveyed both! He Arrived in Vancouver in 1883.
A Plaque for Lauchlan Alexander Hamilton, unveiled on April 20, 1952, is located at the corner of Hastings and Hamilton.
He was made a Freeman of the City of Vancouver.
He was on the first council of alderman for the City of Vancouver.
Left Vancouver and Arrived in Winnipeg in 1888. Then in 1892, headed to Estevan. He was the Main CPR surveyor.

Father was William Hamilton, b- Collingwood ON.
Grandfather was Capt. James Matthew Hamilton.
He came from a very distinguished Canadian family.

His 2nd wife was famous as well.
Constance Eaton Hamilton
Elected in 1920, she was the First Woman to sit on Toronto City Council.
She was the daughter of a Physician, Dr George Fowler Bodington (1829-1902), Mother- Caroline Mary Eaton (1825-1873)

Her early education was with private tutors and then at the Conservatory of Music in Leipzig, Germany.
She was a trained pianist
In 1887, she followed her parents and moved to Vancouver where, in 1888, she met and married, the much older Lauchlan Hamilton on Apr 10, 1888

Soon after, the couple moved to Winnipeg, where Lauchlan Hamilton was land commissioner for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Fluent in German, Constance assisted new immigrants to that city, and founded the Women's Musical Club, making it one of Canada's premier musical organizations.

In 1899, she and her husband relocated to Toronto
The Hamiltons lived at 30 St. Joseph St., Constance died in Toronto in 1945.

Feb 4,1915 he travelled to Niagara Falls NY, age 62
wife Constance E. Hamilton was the departure contact

Mr. Hamilton was a Watercolor Artist, and a Photographer.

Member of the Wycliffe College Board, and his funeral was held there.

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