Hammer, Aaron

HAMMER, GUTHRIE, COOPER, DATON, SNYDER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 18:21:47

Aaron Hammer, a successful and influential farmer of Newton Township, Jasper County, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., June 2, 1831, and was the seventh son in a family of eleven children. They were named: Mahlon, Seth, Henry, Jesse, Ira, Elisha, Aaron, Isaac, Susannah, Polly A. and Lydia. The Hammer family is of German extraction, and was first represented in this country early in the eighteenth century, when one of that name settled in Bucks County, Pa. Further reference to the genealogy of this family will be found in the sketch of Dr. M. R. Hammer, which appears else where in this volume.

In 1847 the family came to Iowa by team from Tennessee, and settled in Kellogg Township, Jasper County, at what has since been known as Hammer's Grove. Of the eleven children, only two now survive: Aaron, of this sketch; and Elisha, a civil engineer, who during the Civil War served as Captain of Company G, Seventh Iowa Cavalry. The father of these children died soon after coming to Iowa, and the mother passed away in 1853. The early life of Aaron Hammer was spent on the home farm, and his educational advantages were limited. About 1856 he embarked in the mercantile business in Newton, and at the same time had a Government contract for carrying the mail, which he held for seven years. In 1860 he was chosen Deputy Recorder of Jasper County, and officiated in that capacity for one term.

April 18,1860, Mr. Hammer was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Guthrie, who was born in Ohio, and died in December 1877. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom survive. Frank E., who married Lizzie Cooper, is a farmer residing near Kellogg, Iowa; Ida May, who married T. D. Eaton, lives with our subject on the home farm; William A., who married Emma Lillian Snyder, is in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with headquarters at Des Moines; Isaac A., Clarence E. and Arthur P. reside with their father, and the last named is now being educated in the schools of Newton, where he is preparing for college.

Upon the farm, which he purchased in 1850, Mr. Hammer has resided since 1861, when he left the Recorder's office. He has held various local offices, such as Assessor and School Director, and is a strong Republican. The Hammer family for generations has been identified with the Quaker Church in which our subject's father was a preacher, establishing, in 1847, the first church of that faith in Jasper County, and his first services being held in his house. In the family are found many prominent Quaker preachers. Our subject, on account of marrying out of the church, was obliged to give up the faith of his forefathers. Socially, he has been a Mason for nearly forty years and belongs to the chapter. He is numbered among the worthy farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Jasper County, and possesses the confidence and high regard of a host of warm personal friends. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 412.