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AT THE FORKS OF THE GRAND that seemed likely to rise in value; he invested his profits in local industries and in assurance and toll-road companies; he operated a large farm and rented other farms; and he lent money at high rates of interest. He was so successful that by 1850 he had made his for- tune, built a stately mansion (Hamilton Place) and sold or rented his distillery and mills. As a retired plutocrat, Hamilton tried to live up to the ideals of noblesse oblige. He was at various times a town councillor and a member of the board of education; he served as a director of the Mutual Improvement Society and the Mechanics' Institute; having disassociated himself from all things pertaining directly to liquor, he joined the Congregational Church, subjected himself to its rigid discipline, became its sturdiest pillar, took as his second wife a clergyman's sister, and devoted a large part of his time to philan- thropic work. Hamilton died in i874. Six years later, a biographer described some of his virtues: Mr. Hamilton's domestic life was very happy [he was married three times] and uniformly such as all the relations of husband and parent required. He excelled as a business man, and by his practical shrewdness often served others as well as himself. He was no party politician but a Christian patriot and reformer, and took a deep interest in whatever affected the peace or prosperity of his adopted country. He served the public in municipal and other offices and took an active part in various philanthropic enter- prises; especially did he devote much time and personal labor in the introduction of English emigrant boys to Canadian homes.... Mr. Hamilton was generous to benevolent societies and gave liber- ally to the American Board of Foreign Missions, church building schemes, colleges, etc., etc. For many years, Hamilton Place (or Hillside, its earlier name) was looked upon as being the most attractive home in Paris. The stately house, the beautiful furnishings, and lovely gardens - all neatly framed by a stone wall- were quite charming. They suggest an aspect of Hamilton's character that the chroniclers of his day (whose remarks were usually colored by envy) did not see fit to mention. Another successful business-man of the earlier period was Daniel Totten. He too arrived in Paris about I83i, and with very little money. But somehow he managed to establish a small woolen-mill and having soon gained a reputation for the excellence of his flannels, he became a wealthy man. He built an imposing residence (the cobblestone house on the east side of Broadway between William and Mechanic Streets), and became an important citizen. He was long remembered for his modesty. After making his for- tune, he refused to adopt pretentious manners or to wear pretentious clothes on work days. When the weather was warm, he would walk about the streets in his shirt-sleeves and greet everybody with 62