HAMMOND, Thomas John 1895 – 1937

HAMMOND, JOHNSON, DODGE BEHEL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 2/2/2011 at 12:30:21

“The Fairfield Ledger”,
Monday, March 1, 1937
Front Page, Column 6

T. J. HAMMOND DIES SUDDENLY HERE SUNDAY

Services For Prominent Fairfield Citizen, Wednesday, 2 p.m.

Thomas J. HAMMOND, 42, post office employee and widely known Fairfield resident, died yesterday afternoon following a sudden heart attack.

According to information received from Coroner J. W. Castell, Mr. HAMMOND was walking at the intersection of Forest Drive and Burlington street, when he apparently staggered and fell momentarily but arose again to his feet.

The first witnesses who arrived on the scene were at that time passing in two automobiles. Both cars were stopped immediately.

“I must have had a heart attack,” Mr. HAMMOND was heard to have said to one of them.

Several other cars stopped but during the evident confusion, Mr. HAMMOND left the group and walked about a block south along Forest Drive. At this time a witness who saw him walk away in apparently good condition, saw him stagger again and lean against a tree.

Persons rushing to his side heard him say, “Take me to a doctor.”

Mr. HAMMOND was placed in the car and driven to the residence of a nearby physician, who came out and immediately took the patient to the Jefferson County Hospital.

Mr. HAMMOND, in a weak condition all the way, died just after they entered the building, Coroner Castell reports.

Funeral services will be held in the First Methodist church on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Dr. M. A. Cable (sic - Gable) will be in charge, and burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. The body will be at the Hoskins Funeral Parlors until the time of the service.

Mr. HAMMOND was born January 13, 1895, in Spring Run, Pa. He came to Fairfield in 1920 and received his appointment to a position in the local post office in December, 1923. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, the Modern Woodman (sic – Woodmen) and the Elks. A World War veteran, he was a past commander of the local Post of the American Legion. He was a member of the Presbyterian church of Spring Run, Pa.

Surviving him are his wife and a nephew, Carroll JOHNSON, who makes his home with the HAMMONDs. Mrs. HAMMOND and young JOHNSON were in attendance at the High school at the time of Mr. HAMMOND’s death.

Surviving are the following brothers and sisters: Meryl of South Longhorne, Pa.; Allie M., of Spring Run, Pa.; Mrs. Mildred DODGE of Rochdale, Mass., and Mrs. William BEHEL of Dry Run, Pa.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, March 2, 1937
Front Page, Column 5

American Legion And Auxiliary To HAMMOND Funeral

The members of the local post of the American Legion will meet in the Legion hall at 1 p.m. tomorrow, to make arrangements for the funeral of T. J. HAMMOND, past commander of the Legion who passed away Sunday.

The Legion Auxiliary will meet at the Hall at 1:30 p.m. to attend the funeral in a body.

(same publication and page, but Column 8 -- )

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR T. J. HAMMOND WEDNESDAY, 2 p.m.

Funeral services for T. J. HAMMOND will be held tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., at the First Methodist church, in charge of Rev. M. A. Gable. The body is now at the Hoskins Funeral Home and will be taken to the church at 1:00 p.m., tomorrow. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, March 3, 1937
Front Page, Column 1

... Russell JOHNSON was called to Fairfield Sunday evening by the sudden death of his brother-in-law Tom HAMMOND. ...

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Thursday, March 4, 1937
Front Page, Column 1

MANY ATTEND SERVICES FOR T. J. HAMMOND

Address Made By Dr. Gable; Military Rites At Grave

The First Methodist church was filled yesterday afternoon when a large company of friends of Thomas J. HAMMOND gathered for the funeral services of the popular postal clerk, who was stricken last Sunday while taking a walk.

The last services were in charge of Dr. M. A. Gable, pastor of the church, with patriotic organizations participating. Beside Dr. Galbe (sic), was Dale Anderson, chaplain of the Allen Jewett American Legion Post, and color guard stood at attention beside the flag-draped casket, throughout the services.

Dr. Gable took as the subject for his remarks the words in the 6th chapter of Micah, "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" The speaker declared that Mr. HAMMOND, as a World War veteran, as a member of graternal (sic) orders, as a postoffice clerk serving the public and in his other relations showed himself as an ideal citizen. He believed in the brotherhood of man in a very practical way.

Injustice he abhorred; in his military service and in private life he detested practices that enriched one at the expense of others. He was one who loved mercy and was constantly doing the little kindly acts which endeared him to so wide a circle of friends. He was an efficient public servant and at the same time he gave that service with a smile and a kindly word. He walked humbly and endeavored to square his life with divine precepts. There was no ostentation. He held some offices in organizations to which he belonged, but he was not desirous of them. As a patriotic, efficient, generous, courteous worker he set an example as a citizen with high ideals.

Before and after the address of Dr. Gable, there were appropriate vocal solos by Paul Coleson. Mrs. E. G. Linder was at the organ.

Mr. HAMMOND was a past commander of Allen Jewett Post, American Legion and was a member of the Presbyterian church in Spring Run, Pa. He was born in Spring Run, January 13, 1895, and is survived by his wife, his father L. M. HAMMOND, brothers Meryl and Allie and two sisters, Mrs. Mildred DODGE and Mrs. William BEHEL. The brother Meryl and brother-in-law William BEHEL came here from Spring Run, Pa., for the funeral services.

Members of several organizations, including the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, the Fairfield Postoffice force, the Philathea class, Modern Woodmen, Royal Neighbors and Odd Fellows were seated in bodies.

The pallbearers, postoffice clerks and carriers, were: David A. Ricketts, Ralph Gilmer, Roy Blosser, A. R. Keller, John Gilmer, and C. F. Goodman.

The Guard of Honor was composed of Glen Grant, Frank Rizor, George Schroeder, Arthur Woods, R. G. Fitzwater, Harlan Anderson, Clarence Gorman and Vern McCumber.

Wayne Voorhies was commander of the firing squad. Peter Staves and Wm. Schwartz were color bearers, Earl Hendricks and L. J. Pumroy were color guards.

At the grave in Evergreen cemetery, Chaplain Anderson of the American Legion gave the committal ceremony and the final words were spoken by Dr. Gable. Then came the salute of the firing squad and the final "Taps" given by bugler Charles C. Brown.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Thursday, March 11, 1937
Page FIVE, Columns 3 and 4

P. O. EMPLOYEES PAY TRIBUTE TO T. HAMMOND

Memory Service Included In Meeting Held Yesterday

The Welfare organization of the Fairfield post office department met yesterday in the post office building during which a great portion of the meeting was given as a memorial service for the late Thomas J. HAMMOND.

Assistant Postmaster J. H. Cochran was chairman of a committee which passed a resolution of condolence to the family of Mr. HAMMOND while A. R. Keller presented a memorial message to the group.

Postmaster Lawrence J. Roth gave a short address in which he thanked the post office force for their close co-operation during the past year and announced that the Fairfield department had recently been given a 100 per cent rating for efficiency following a federal inspection.

A "vox pop" questionaire was held under a committee composed of F. V. Goodman and Iska Duvall during which William Looney scored first place for having the highest number of answers correct.

Lunch was served to the group by Mr. Roth after the completion of the meeting.

The memorial address by Mr. Keller in honor of Thomas J. HAMMOND, is printed as follows:

"Tommie, or Tillie, as we knew him, entered the postal service in 1923 as a substitute and was promoted to a regular clerk, mailing division and transferred to city carrier and back again to clerk. In each position he filled he was an able and willing worker, never shirking any duty, no matter what its nature.

"If something was assigned Tillie it could be then a certainty of accomplishment. He was not given to bursts of speed but could be depended upon for steady, even paces in any job, be it on the window, the mailing case or the city distributing section.

"He was cheerful at all times and though fond of an argument was never known to remember any displeasure with or against anyone who chose to disagree with him. As a postoffice clerk, as a soldier, as a comrade of the American Legion and a veteran of many hunting expeditions it was my pleasure to become intimately acquainted with Tommy and his sincerity was even an inspiration to me.

"While differing greatly on various issues his tenacity to his belief was of a quality I could ever admire. His continuous preaching of the Doctrine of Equality among men speaks plainly of his ideals and his desire that all men be given an equal opportunity and a just and considerate consideration before being censored.

"He was ever on the alert for injustices and resisted with all his strength any attempt of one fellowman taking advantage of another. His generosity was a gift too few of us can boast of and his absolute honesty will ever be a shining monument in our memories. Not given to the frilly side of things, Tommy struck directly and with force to the heart of any problem confronting him and spoke his mind regardless of the consequences, asking no odds and taking his share of advancement or retreat as the Great Generalissimo of the Universe might decree.

"Tillie was a believer in his country, his community, his fellowmen and above all, God Almighty. It was truly spoken by Rev. Gable that Tommy lived his religion day by day. It is with a great feeling of sadness and regret that we now say to you, Tommy, old pal of ours, Farewell and may the Good and Gracious Lord rest your Soul."

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: His wife was Clara Gertrude JOHNSON who died in 1958; they are buried in Lot 3rd.134½.