Alexander Carlisle s/o William Lines & Sarah "Sally" (Barnard) Hamblin, b. Augusta, Grenville Co., Ontario, Canada.

Ref: (Ms. Fisher) 6 Oct. 1884, Battle Creek, MI -- Notice to the Public -- Auction Sale Withdrawn -- Editor Moon: Please announce that I have withdrawn my city property from sale at auction, as advertised for October 9, 1884.

On consulting my friends in regard to the matter, we came to the conclusion, as Washington street, one of the leading streets passing centrally over the property, had been closed to the public by the Michigan Central Railroad Company, and the lateness of the season, together with the popular excitement attendant on the presidential contest, that an auction sale at this time would not be advisable.

Under the Circumstances I have concluded to close out my city property by private sale and will either sell the whole of it in mass, or by blocks of lots, or by single lots, as may be desired.

To those who are intending to build I am ready to offer special inducements in price and terms of payment.

With the rapid growth of the city and the new productive enterprises that are looking towards an establishment here; one of them comprising A Foundry And Machine Shop of large dimensions, have negotiations on foot to locate on property adjoining mine and should a favorable conclusion be reached, will at once prepare the ground and erect building for doing a large business.

Such establishments will largely enhance the value of property, so that purchases made at this time must prove a profitable investment to the purchases.

Parties wishing to purchase or obtain any information in regard to the property will please call at Hamblin bank.

Ref: 6 Jun. 1888, Battle Creek, MI -- Alexander C. Hamblin has retired from banking business, after an experience of twenty-nine years with the responsible position as head of the banking firm of A. C. Hamblin & Co. Through all of the vicissitudes of financial embarassment with the country has passed in the last decades of time, no paper was ever presented to his desk without his being able to meet it properly with the cash and his business career was marked throughout with a success that will relegate Mr. Hamblin to the membry of the business community in a most reliable and pleasant manner. By his excellent judgment and commercial skill, coupled with unquestioned integrity, he has contributed very materially to the growth and prosperity of this city. In 1869 he erected the Opera House, which will remain as a monument of his confidence in the growth of the community in which his lot was cast, and its success as a place of amusement is its own comment on his judment and foresight. Mr. Hamblin's business blocks are among the most prominent in the city, while his additon to the resident portion is rapidly becoming the most important part of the corporation. His retirment will be accompanied with the universal respect of all who know him, and his judgment will be sought through life in matters of local speculation and finance. It is pleasant to add that all of the vigor of early life remains with Mr. Hamblin, and that he retires with a competency that insures the sease which his life-long endeavors merit. Mr. Hamblin will remain one of the directors of the Merchants' National Bank, which is a guarantee of the strict business methods of the new corporation. His time will be employed in looking after his investments and his real estate possessions.

Ref: (Ms. Fisher) MI Record of Deaths, pg. -- Alexandia Hamblin d. 21 May 1897, Battle Creek, MI, Complication of Disease, b. NY, Banker, Record No.612, widower, 79 yrs., 5 mos., s/o William & Sarah (???) Hamblin,

Ref: (Ms. Fisher) Notes of A. C. Hamblin -- Established private bank in 1859; built structure that included an opera house in 1868. Auditorium 72 feet by 100 feet with gallery; seated 1200. Cost $40,000.

Born 10 Dec. 1817, it is thought in Canada. In early life lived with Azariah Walton in Alexander Bay, NY. Wed Sarah A. Walton, d/o Mr. Walton on 22 Jun. 1843. In 1843, they moved to Battle Creek, MI where he built a bank in 1859. He had the following children; Mary A. (Mrs. Charles E. Lyman) b. 16 Jun. 1944, d. 13 Feb. 1878; Samuel b. 13 Aug. 1851, d. 16 Aug. 1903; Alice Theresa (Mrs. Theron Crispell) b. 27 Aug. 1849, d. 1 Dec. 1914. Alexander closed out the bank by sale to Merchants National Bank and retired when Merchants bank open on 5 Jun. 1888. He came from Jefferson Co., NY.

Ref: (Ms. Fisher) Journal, Battler Creek, MI -- A. C. Hamblin -- The name that heads this article has to the residents of this city and surrounding country a substantial sound. Mr. Hamblin was in the banking business in this city for over thirty years and never during all that time asked a man to wait until tomorrow for his money. The banking institutions that were in business at the time he started all failed but he remained solid as a rock. At one time years ago, during a financial panic when other persons were going down, some of Mr. Hamblin's friends came to him and said "there is to be a run on your bank tomorrow, is there anything we can do for you?" to which he replied that he thanked them from the bottom of his heart for their offers of assistance but that he was never better prepared for a run in his life, and they might go home with their minds easy. The next day came but not a single person drew their money, so well assured were they that Mr. Hamblin had spoken only the exact truth in regard to his financial condition. Mr. Hamblin was a man who attended carefully to every detail of his business himself; he was at his office every week day and his business methods were regular and exact in every particular, and while strict in regard to demanding good security as every successful banker is compelled to be, he was often extremely kind to those who needed help and has often loaned money to business men and manufacturers, helping them through times of financial trouble and depression.

Mr. Hamblin came here from New York state in 1859; his intention was to locate in Rockford, IL, but he stopped off here to visit a friend, Elder Averill, and being favorably impressed with the then village of Battle Creek, he decided to locate here, and it was exceedingly fortunate for us that he came to this decision for he has ever been a helpful and public spirited citizen, being faithful in the care of the funds entrusted to his charge as well as being progressive and broad gauge in all his methods and views. When he built the opera house block it was at the extreme west end of the business portion of west Main street, and he was asked why he built such a fine block so far out from the center; his reply was that "westward the star of Empire takes its way" and his conclusion proved to be correct, as his judgment almost invariably was on all investments and business transactions. While Mr. Hamblin was carrying on his banking house there was a period of over four weeks when he was the only man in the city who sold drafts on New York. Mr. Hamblin built what was then the finest block and opera house in the state outside of Detroit. He erected a fine bank block, a hotel, the "Hamblin" house, and a handsome residence. We give a beautiful half tone picture of the buildings, in the center of this page, that our readers who do not reside here can see them as they are. The well known modesty of Mr. Hamblin keeps him from boasting of his public acts and munificent gifts but we are compelled to mention several that have come under our own personal observation. One was the building of a bridge near Carlisle street at a cost of $1,000, and one at Kendall street costing $400, which he paid out of his own pockets, not asking a cent from the city. He gave $400 toward locating the Michigan Foundry and made a $2,000 reduction in selling a site to the Duplex Printing Press Company.

At the time when the money was being raised for the Coldwater road, the committee, of which Hon. E. C. Nichols was chairman, started out to canvass the city for subscriptions. They sat down under the trees in front of the Methodist church, as the weather was warm they deliberated upon their manner of procedure. After considerable talk Mr. Nichols arose to his feet, put on his coat and said, "gentlemen, we will go and see A. C. Hamblin. He is one of our most public spirited citizens, and our largest real estate owner, and we must get him to head the subscription list with his name," In accordance with this suggestion, they went at once to Mr. Hamblin's bank, and upon their making known their business, Mr. Hamblin promptly responded by writing his name at the head of the list for the munificent sum of $3,000, which amount he paid in full. He also contributed $500 to the old Peninsular road and several hundred dollars to the Sturgis road.

Mr. Hamblin has been the largest individual taxpayer in the city, having paid into the City Treasury for taxes, $27,796.05, $12,067.56 of which was City tax and $15,728.49 state and school tax.

He platted what is known as the Hamblin addition with three hundred and twenty-three lots, almost in the center of the city; he has sold only a small number of these lots, and offers the balance at reasonable figures. These lots being so centrally located, will, undoubtedly, increase in value as rapidly, if not more so, as any property in our growing city.

Mr. Hamblin has made many other munificent gifts and is not only a successful but also a generous and public-spirited man. In politics he is a staunch Democrat, but has always resolutely refused to accept public office although often solicited to do so.

That he may be spared for many years to enjoy the fruits of his well-directed industry, is a wish in which we are sure that every reader of the Journal will unite with us.

Ref: (Ms. Fisher) May 1897, Battle Creek, MI -- A. C. Hamblin - A Well Known Business Man Has Passed Away -- Alexander C. Hamblin died at his home, 65 West Main street, this morning at 4:40 o'clock, after a long illness of liver and stomach troubles, in the 79th year of his age.

Mr. Hamblin came to this city in the fall of 1859 from the state of New York. He was on his way to Rockford, IL, to locate. He stopped here to visit a friend, the late Rev. J. P. Averill, and was so favorably impressed with the then village of Battle Creek that he decided to locate here.

He bought out the bank of Leon & Sanborn, then located in the store now occupied by M. Mass, and continued in the banking business for thirty years.

He was a good businessman and financier and became one of our wealthiest citizens.

He built Hamblin's Opera House and the Hamblin house, and was the owner of the block at the corner of East Main and West Canal streets, occupied by the Merchants bank, and formerly known as Peninsula hall.

Mr. Hamblin was a liberal giver to public improvements and contributed largely to the old Peninsula and old Coldwater railroads, and other projects.

He was the largest individual taxpayer in the city, having paid taxes in this city the sum of $27,796.05 during his business career.

Deceased leaves a son and daughter, Samuel Hamblin and Mrs. T. C. Crispell, a grandson, Fred Lyman, and a sister who resided with him.

The funeral will be held at the residence Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev. W. S. Potter officiating.

Ref: (Ms. Fisher) 26 Dec. 1899, Battle Creek, MI -- When A. C. Hamblin died a few years ago he willed all of his property to Mrs. Alice H. Crispell, his daughter, and Sam Hamblin, his son, leaving only $1,000 to Fred Lyman, a son of his deceased daughter. The two children of Mr. Hamblin gave a third interest to Mr. Lyman, however, and yesterday a division was made whereby Fred gets the unsold lands on the Hamblin addition with the exception of three and a half lots, as well as property at the corner of West Jackson and South McCamly streets and vicinity. In return he gives over the deeds of his interest in all the portions of the property belonging to Mrs. Crispell and Sam Hamblin.