Business Magnate. Civil War Union Soldier. Land Developer. He was the son of Henry Disston, the Philadelphian who had revolutionized the saw industry. Hamilton was a member of the Northern Liberties Volunteer Fire Company; later he became the city's first Fire Commissioner. He was also the city's Parks Commissioner. During the Civil War, Disston joined Company K, 20th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry Militia (Emergency, 1863), along with twenty-five of the workers at the Disston factory. Rather than accept a commission, Disston chose to enter the army along with the other men as a private. At his father's death, leadership of the company fell to Hamilton, but he eventually moved south to establish his own fortune. He became interested in Florida as a land opportunity. Disston was the first to see the possibility of draining Florida swampland, Lake Okeechobee, for industrial and residential use. His canal system not only allowed building in what had been Central Florida swampland, but the canals also irrigated farmland in the area. The economic depression in the 1890s destroyed the fortune of the man who had once been the single largest individual land owner in the country's history. After attending the theater one evening Hamilton Disston shot himself. It was a tragic end to an incredibly productive and meaningful life. Disston's estate was divided between his wife and three sons, Henry, Frank, and Albert. He also had a daughter, Amanda Disston Carpenter.
The New Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, West Virginia
Friday, May 1, 1896, page 1
Philadelphia, April 30. - Hamilton Disston, head of extensive saw works of Henry Disston & Sons, of this city, was found dead in bed at his residence on Broad and Jefferson streets this morning. Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause of his death. Disston was a millionaire and one of the most prominent Republican politicians in Pennsylvania.
The New Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, West Virginia
Friday, May 1, 1896, page 1
Philadelphia, April 30. - Hamilton Disston, head of extensive saw works of Henry Disston & Sons, of this city, was found dead in bed at his residence on Broad and Jefferson streets this morning. Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause of his death. Disston was a millionaire and one of the most prominent Republican politicians in Pennsylvania.
Business Magnate. Civil War Union Soldier. Land Developer. He was the son of Henry Disston, the Philadelphian who had revolutionized the saw industry. Hamilton was a member of the Northern Liberties Volunteer Fire Company; later he became the city's first Fire Commissioner. He was also the city's Parks Commissioner. During the Civil War, Disston joined Company K, 20th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry Militia (Emergency, 1863), along with twenty-five of the workers at the Disston factory. Rather than accept a commission, Disston chose to enter the army along with the other men as a private. At his father's death, leadership of the company fell to Hamilton, but he eventually moved south to establish his own fortune. He became interested in Florida as a land opportunity. Disston was the first to see the possibility of draining Florida swampland, Lake Okeechobee, for industrial and residential use. His canal system not only allowed building in what had been Central Florida swampland, but the canals also irrigated farmland in the area. The economic depression in the 1890s destroyed the fortune of the man who had once been the single largest individual land owner in the country's history. After attending the theater one evening Hamilton Disston shot himself. It was a tragic end to an incredibly productive and meaningful life. Disston's estate was divided between his wife and three sons, Henry, Frank, and Albert. He also had a daughter, Amanda Disston Carpenter.
The New Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, West Virginia
Friday, May 1, 1896, page 1
Philadelphia, April 30. - Hamilton Disston, head of extensive saw works of Henry Disston & Sons, of this city, was found dead in bed at his residence on Broad and Jefferson streets this morning. Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause of his death. Disston was a millionaire and one of the most prominent Republican politicians in Pennsylvania.
The New Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, West Virginia
Friday, May 1, 1896, page 1
Philadelphia, April 30. - Hamilton Disston, head of extensive saw works of Henry Disston & Sons, of this city, was found dead in bed at his residence on Broad and Jefferson streets this morning. Heart disease is supposed to have been the cause of his death. Disston was a millionaire and one of the most prominent Republican politicians in Pennsylvania.
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