Hall of Fame

C. J. Hamlin was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1819. As a boy he was a grocery clerk and soon owned his own market. He moved to East Aurora, New York, gradually built his own successful mercantile business and made his fortune. Hamlin bought a small farm near Buffalo and established Village Farm, which soon became the top breeding farm of the East. Pop Geers, W. J. Andrews, Alonzo McDonald and Ben White all got their start as trainers working for Hamlin. His interest in good racing prompted him to originate rules for the National Trotting Association, and he helped to organize the Grand Circuit. He was also famous as an exhibitor and campaigner. C. J. Hamlin died in Buffalo in 1905.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1994 book, The Immortals