Lafayette Hampton, a farmer and merchant of Macoupin, who has practically
demonstrated his ability as a business man and his worth as a citizen, is a
native of Tennessee but has been a resident of Macoupin county since his
boyhood. He is of English descent on the paternal side and was born near
Knoxville, in Blount county, Tennessee, April 19, 1848, a son of William M.
and Martha Caroline (Alberson) Hampton. The father was born in North
Carolina and the mother in South Carolina. He removed to Tennessee when a
young man and was there married, subsequently coming with his family to
Macoupin county, Illinois. He was engaged in farming in Brushy Mound
township at the outbreak of the Civil war and, although a native of the
south, he was a stanch Union man and offered his services to his country,
enlisting at Chicago in the One hundred and thirteenth Illinois Infantry. He
participated with his regiment in the siege and capture of Vicksburg but, on
account of the hardships and exposures incidental to army life, he was taken
with typhoid fever and died at Corinth, Mississippi. The mother passed away
about thirty years ago, while making her home with her son Lafayette. In the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Hampton were five children: Emeline, who married
Charles Fones, of Polk township; Lafayette, of this review; Allen M., who is
engaged in farming at Ironton, Iron county, Missouri; William Irvin, who is
living upon a land claim in South Dakota; and Nancy E., who is deceased.
In the district schools of Macoupin county Lafayette Hampton secured his
early education. His opportunities for mental training in youth were
limited, as he was obliged to work in a woolen mill in order to assist in
the support of the family and thus early became acquainted with long hours
of labor. He continued with his mother until twenty-five years of age and
then began farming in Polk township, later removing to Brushy Mound
township. In 1900 he purchased forty acres on section 23 of Bird township,
upon which he established his home. He also owns twenty-six acres of
valuable farming land in the same township and a store building which he
erected at Macoupin. He carries a well selected stock of groceries and, as
he is a man of good address and excellent business judgment, the venture has
proved successful. He also cultivates his farm and makes a specialty of
blooded hogs for which he finds a ready market.
In 1872, Mr. Hampton
was married to Miss Emily Davidson, a native of Macoupin county, and to this
union eleven children have been born, namely : Joseph Edward, who is
deceased; Mary, who is living at home; Albert Wesley, who is now engaged in
farming in Hilyard township; Allen, a blacksmith of Woodburn, Illinois;
Melvin E. and Raymond, both of whom are at home; and Julia, Thomas, Anna,
Herbert and Edward, all of whom are deceased.
Mr. Hampton is a
stanch advocate of the republican party and, while he has not urged his
claims for public office, he has served as constable for five years. He
takes a great interest in religious affairs and is a valued member of the
Missionary Baptist church. From his youth he has been identified with
agriculture and stock-raising and has always been enterprising and energetic
in his business and thoroughly reliable in all his dealings. All who know
him speak in terms of praise, and no man more worthily merits the gifts of
fortune.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 57-58.
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