Dennis B. HAMMOND, a prominent and leading farmer residing on section 10, Columbus City Township, and one of the settlers of 1850, was born May 4, 1821, in Hamilton County, Ohio, on the site of the present beautiful city of Cincinnati. His parents, John and Charlotta (BENNETT) HAMMOND, reared a family of seven children: Denton, born Jan. 1, 1820, is a resident of Indiana; Dennis B.; Amos, a resident farmer of Columbus City Township; Jehial. who was a member of an Illinois artillery company during the late Rebellion, died in Illinois in 1866; Jane, the widow of William LITTLE, is living near Wichita, Kan.; Julia A. is the wife of James RICHARDS, a farmer of Cooper County, Mo.; Elizabeth wedded Benjamin STODDARD, but both are now deceased.

The father of this family was a native of Maryland, though of Scotch parentage, his father having emigrated to America in company with a brother prior to the Revolutionary War, in which the brother took part. The mother was a native of New York. John HAMMOND was a miller by trade, and followed that occupation during his life. From Hamilton County, Ohio, the family removed to Jefferson County, Ind., where he engaged in milling, and was there one of the pioneers. He was a strong advocate of the Democratic party, and was a man highly respected in the community where he resided. He made his home in Madison, Ind., until about ten years before his death, which occurred in 1853, in Switzerland County. His wife, who was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in Switzerland County, Ind., July 4, 1832.

Our subject [Dennis M. HAMMOND] was early forced to begin life's battle for himself. Receiving no advantages of schools, he obtained his education mostly by observation. When only ten years of age he entered a mill, where he was employed for three and a half years, receiving only his clothes as compensation for his labor. At the end of that time, having acquired an excellent knowledge of the business, he secured a position as miller in Rising Sun, Ind., where he remained for about three years, and then went to Indian Creek, where he also had charge of a mill, remaining there until 1850; he then came to Iowa. Being honest and trustworthy, and a first-class workman, his services were always in demand, and he was never idle.

On the 23d of January, 1840, Mr. Hammond and Miss Hannah PADGETT were united in marriage. She was born in New Jersey, Aug. 11, 1821, and is a daughter of William and Sarah (PIFFER) PADGETT, her father of English, and her mother of German ancestry. Of their union twelve children have been born, all of whom have reached maturity: William P., who was a member of the 10th Iowa Infantry, serving four years, and participating in all the engagements of his regiment, was never in a hospital during all his term of service, but was always found at his post, and is now a farmer in Nebraska; Charlotta is the wife of James TANZY, of Riverside, Washington Co., Iowa; John, who served in the late war in the 25th Illinois Infantry, is now a resident of Dakota; Oliver P. is engaged in farming in Ringgold County, Iowa; George runs a sawmill in Decatur County, Iowa; Lewis, a farmer by occupation, is in Ringgold County; Viola is the wife of Benjamin DANIELS, whose home is in Dallas County, Iowa; Sarah, who was born in Washington County, Iowa, wedded John WHEELER, of Louisa County; Eliza became the wife of Harry HUFF, a farmer of Dallas County; Benjamin S. is also living in Dallas County; Joseph is engaged in fanning in Louisa County, and Albert is at home.

Mr. HAMMOND has given all his children good educations, and may well be proud of his large family, who are now respected men and women, comfortably settled in happy homes. Though all but one have left the parental roof, none have been called away by death, and by their unions he 1ms now about twenty grandchildren.

On coming to Iowa, Mr. HAMMOND took charge of a mill near Riverside, in English [now Washington] County, where he remained until 1862, and then removed to the farm which he now owns on sections 3, 9 and 15, in Columbus City Township. The farm comprises 170 acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and in connection with the improvement of his land he has carried on stock-raising, in which he has been quite successful. Starting out in life at the age of ten, he has since made his own way in the world, and his life is well worthy of emulation. When the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad was built through the county, he would often work late at night making ties for that road, and in all other enterprises for the good of the community he has labored as earnestly and faithfully, he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and in his political sentiments he is a Republican. Not only as an early settler is Mr. HAMMOND honored, but as a citizen, friend and neighbor he receives the respect and esteem of the community.

SOURCE: FAIRBAIRN, Robert Herd Portrait and Biographical Album of Louisa County, Iowa Vol. I. Chapter 19. Pp. 264-65. S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1919.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009