I have not done sufficient research to prove, his vital records yet. And I do not believe Hamilton V. Smith is the same man as Hamilton V. Mason.

This is the military service record for this individual.

Name: Hamilton V Smith
Residence: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Age at enlistment: 18
Enlistment Date: 29 Feb 1864
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Grand Rapids, Michigan
State Served: Michigan
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company A, Michigan 13th Infantry Regiment on 29 Feb 1864.
Mustered out on 09 Apr 1864 at Grand Rapids, MI.
Birth Date: abt 1846
Sources: Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65

(--------------- ( * ) ---------------)

The following is where some of the confusion is coming from.

There is a Pension record for Hamilton V. Mason who also used an Alias of Hamilton V. Smith, (See photo at the right) if he had a wife named Emma.

(--------------- ( * ) ---------------)

I believe this to be the following Hamilton Mason whose information is below.

Hamilton V. Mason, who's mother was Mary Almina Prentiss who married a Mason in 1847 and then James W. Smith in Nov of 1848. ((After James' death she married N.P. Bunnell and then John F. Mabie. Which explains her name.))

If it is the same person, he was born March 28, 1848 in New York State and died April 19, 1906 in Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Michigan. There is certificate on file for him with this date of death, listing him buried in the Nuncia Cemetery.

On the June 4, 1900 Federal Census, there was a Hamilton V. Mason living in Crockery, Ottawa, Michigan. He was listed as a widower, being born March 1847 in New York. Father born in New York and Mother born in Ohio. With a John & Mary A. Marbie censused right before him, and they have a 16 year old Grand daughter, Francis Smith with them.

On the on June 9, 1880 Federal Census there is also a Hamilton Mason living a few houses down from the same John and Mary A Maby in Crockery, Ottawa, Michigan, but at this point he is living as a married "Border". His wife is not listed with him.

There is also Marriage Records available ,Michigan, Kent County Marriages, 1845-1929
First Spouse : Hamilton V. Mason
Second Spouse : Mary A. King
Book Number : 4
Page Number : 68
Year : 1867-1877

First Spouse : Hamilton V. Mason
Second Spouse : Mary A. Mark
Book Number : 4
Page Number : 68
Year : 1867-1877

First Spouse : Hamilton V. Mason
Second Spouse : Lilly M. Rowe
Book Number : 6
Page Number : 223
Year : 1877-1883


(--------------- ( * ) ---------------)

There is ongoing research being done by others and hopefully we will solve this mystery.

(--------------- ( * ) ---------------)

We want to thank Tom Sheets for taking the photo of our families headstones. Thank You Tom very much.