When Delila Hamilton was born on 3 July 1843, in Shelby, Indiana, United States, her father, Samuel Hamilton, was 30 and her mother, Lydia Shelton, was 28. She married Horace F. Tarkington on 9 May 1861, in Howard, Indiana, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 5 daughters. She lived in Prairie Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States in 1880 and Liberty Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States for about 10 years. She died on 6 August 1918, in Sharpsville, Liberty Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States, at the age of 75, and was buried in Goar Cemetery, Jacksons, Cicero Township, Tipton, Indiana, United States.