John Marshall Hamilton (May 28, 1847 – September 22, 1905) was the 18th Governor of Illinois, serving from 1883 to 1885. Born in Union County, Ohio, Hamilton became interested in politics at a young age, joining the Wide Awakes when he was thirteen and the Union Army four years later. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University he studied law and was admitted to the bar. A notable attorney in Bloomington, Illinois, Hamilton was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1876. He served there until 1881, when he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois on a ticket with Shelby Moore Cullom. When Cullom resigned after election to the United States Senate, Hamilton became Governor of Illinois. He was not selected as a candidate for re-election, but did serve that year as a delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention. He spent the rest of his life as an attorney in Chicago, where he died in 1905. Biography John Marshall Hamilton was born in Union County, Ohio near Richwood on May 28, 1847. He moved with his family to Roberts Township, Marshall County, Illinois when he was seven years old. Hamilton first became involved with politics at a young age, joining the Republican Wide Awakes in 1861 at the age of thirteen. Hamilton's unit was called into action as the 77th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but Hamilton could not serve because of his young age. Hamilton studied at a school in Henry in the meantime. In 1864, when Hamilton was seventeen years old, he enlisted in the 141st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the U.S. Civil War. After his unit was mustered out, he attended Ohio Wesleyan University. He became a teacher in Henry, but was forced to resign after only a year due to poor health. While recovering, Hamilton studied law in his free time. Seeking a place to study law, he turned to Bloomington, Illinois. Hamilton took a temporary position as Professor of Latin at Illinois Wesleyan University. While there, Hamilton studied law with Weldon, Tipton & Benjamin and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He married Helen Williams in 1871. Hamilton served for several years as an attorney in Bloomington in a practice with J. H. Rowell until he was elected to the Illinois Senate as a Republican in 1876. Hamilton was elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in 1881, serving under Shelby Moore Cullom. At the time, the