Dr. James Henry and Mary Stearns Hamilton

Mary and Dr. Hamilton at the original Revelstoke CPR Station, date unknown.

Dates:

James Hamilton: b. Rockwood, Ontario, 1882 d. Revelstoke, 1938

Mary Hamilton: b. Washington, DC, 1889 d. Vancouver, 25 December 1959

Cemetery Location:

Mary Hamilton: Block G, Row 10, Plot 63

James Hamilton: Block G, Row 4, Plot 54

Profiles:

Affectionately known by Revelstoke locals as ‘Doc Ham’, James Harry Hamilton was born in Rockwood, Ontario, in 1882. Harry’s mother died of tuberculosis when he was just one year old. His grandparents raised him while his father John worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia.

After graduating in medicine, James joined his father in Nelson, B.C., where he worked as a doctor’s assistant for one year. In 1904, Harry transferred to Arrowhead to work at the local hospital before moving to Revelstoke in 1906.

Dr. Hamilton married Mary Stearns Silcott of Revelstoke in 1910 and they had three children: John, Marjorie (Nookie) and Joan. John also became a doctor, studying at Cambridge University before returning to Canada. 

In 1910 and 1911, Dr. Hamilton was elected mayor of Revelstoke and lobbied for the construction of the road to summit of Mount Revelstoke. He was also involved in having the mountain designated a national park.

A veteran of World War I, Dr. Hamilton helped rehabilitate returned soldiers. He also served as police magistrate for some time, as well as health officer and coroner.

A keen sportsman, he was just 57 when he died from a heart attack on his way home from a curling tournament in Vernon.

Mary Stearns Hamilton died on Christmas day, 1959 in Vancouver at the age of 72. Her body was brought to Revelstoke for burial. 

Mary Hamilton and bridal party, Holten House, Revelstoke, 1910.