Horsepower by Hamilton: ‘Where you get the job done right the first time’

By Carol McIntire

Editor

Sam Hamilton grew up in the “business” so it was only natural he would, one day, open his own “business.”

The “business” is mechanical work on most anything powered by a motor, i.e., gas or diesel engines that produce “horsepower.”

The Carrollton native and 2009 Carrollton High School graduate attended the former WyoTech, a vocational trade school in Pennsylvania, that was known as a frontrunner in the automotive and diesel industries. 

Following completion of the program, he was hired at Western Branch Diesel in Canton, where he spent 12 years and was the lead road tech for on-and-off highway vehicles and machinery.

The hours were long, which left little time for family and things Sam enjoyed. While on leave due to an injury, Sam re-evaluated his life and realized how much family time he was really missing. 

He decided he had the training and experience to open his own business. 

With the support of his wife, Melody, and parents, Alan and Linda Hamilton, Horsepower by Hamilton was born. The business opened in November 2022 in Alan’s garage on Antigua Rd.

Randy and Liz Stackhouse, owners of the former R&L Auto Care, made the decision to retire after 20 years in the automotive business at about the same time. The building that was once home to Kohler’s Service Station and then R&L Auto, was without a tenant. 

“We worked with Randy and Liz on a lease agreement and, on Nov. 1, 2023, Sam and Melody made the move from the garage on Antigua Rd. to 617 Canton Rd., Carrollton.

“It was like they passed the baton to us,” Melody said. “Kohlers passed the baton to Randy and Liz and now they have passed it to us. They cared about their customers and chose us to follow in their footsteps to provide, honest and reliable auto and truck service to the community.”

Horsepower by Hamilton offers everything from a simple oil change to complete rebuilds of gas and diesel engines and just about everything in between.

“We do brakes, exhausts, wheel alignments and sell, install and balance tires, along with a lot of other services,” Sam noted. “Just like the name says, we work on anything that produces horsepower. That includes, cars pickups, semi’s, side-by-sides, golf carts and all farm equipment.”

“Being a mechanic is his passion,” Melody said of her husband. “He cares about people and wants them to be in safe vehicles.”

“We want to get the job done, and done right the first time,” Sam added. 

“We are here to do what is right by the people. That’s what Jesus called us to do,” Melody added.

Melody serves as office manager and can rely on her previous experience as a business owner to guide her. 

“I’ve had a lot of experience working with people, which is a big part of our business,” she said. “We are so blessed. We moved the business into town with two jobs from the Antigua Rd. shop and didn’t know what was going to happen,” she said pointing to monthly appointment sheets filled with customer names nearly all day, every day.

Linda also has previous business experience as she and Alan operated their own business for several years. She also helps in the office.

The business is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and can be reached by calling 330-366-6224.

Outside the business, Sam and Melody are active in the Carrollton Believers Fellowship Church where they recently assumed the role of youth leaders.