Among the highly respected citizens of Geneseo [Illinois] were Joseph and John C. HAMMOND, two public benefactors whose names will be imperishable in the history of the community. In the year 1897, Joseph HAMMOND donated to Geneseo township a fine public library, expending ten thousand dollars for the building and its equipment. Subsequent to his demise his son, John C. HAMMOND, established and gave to the city the J. C. HAMMOND Hospital and when his will was read it was found that he had provided a trust fund of over twenty thousand dollars for the hospital and library. The gifts of father and son amounted to more than forty thousand dollars in all.

John C. HAMMOND was born in West Wardsboro, Vermont, on the 15th of October, 1837, and departed this life in Genesee, IlHnois, on the 3d of October, 1908. He was the only child of Joseph and Polly (CONVERSE) HAMMOND. On the paternal side he traced his ancestry back to Thomas HAMMOND, of Lavenham, England, whose son Thomas emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1634. The latter's descendants were renowned in colonial history, Samuel HAMMOND, the great-grandfather of John C. HAMMOND, being one of the famous "tea party" whose acts precipitated the American Revolution. He likewise aided the colonists in their struggle for independence as a soldier in the Continental army.

Peter HAMMOND, the grandfather of John C. HAMMOND, lived to attain the remarkable age of exactly one hundred and two years and at the time of his death was the oldest Mason in the United States. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte HOLBROOK, was also of Revolutionary stock.

Joseph HAMMOND, the father of John C. HAMMOND, was a public-spirited, upright and honored citizen, served as the second mayor of Geneseo and held various other positions of trust. The HAMMOND public library building, which he gave to the city shortly prior to his demise, stands as a memorial of his revered name. His life was one of great usefulness and activity and in all of its relations he exemplified the beneficent teachings of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a valued member. In early manhood he wedded Miss Polly CONVERSE, who also came of old New England stock. They traveled life's journey happily together for almost sixty- six years and passed away within five months of each other.

John C. HAMMOND, who spent his early life in the town of his nativity, was a young man of nineteen years when he came with his parents to Geneseo, this county, in 1856. For a number of years, in the 1860's, he conducted a grocery store southwest of the park but subsequently took up his abode in Mount Ayr, Iowa, where he went into business and made his home until after the death of his wife. Soon afterward he returned to Geneseo and later became connected with the Eagle Stove Works. For several years illness necessitated his retirement from active life and he devoted his attention largely to the care of his aged parents.

On the 12th of September, 1865, at Tiskilwa, Illinois, Mr. HAMMOND was united in marriage to Miss Eva PERKINS, who passed away at Mount Ayr, Iowa, May 16, 1876, when a little more than thirty-three years of age. One of the local papers said: "She was a lovely woman, of a sweet disposition and winning manners, warm-hearted, social and intelligent — one whom every one loved. Although Mr. HAMMOND never said much, the great sorrow of his life was in the loss of his beloved wife, and his heart ever remained true to her memory."

Mr. HAMMOND was called to his final rest on the 3d of October, 1908, and the funeral services were conducted at the home of Mrs. Ella N. TAYLOR on Monday, October 5, by the Rev. M. J. MILLER, the first pastor of the Geneseo Unitarian church, who also officiated at the funeral of the father and mother of the deceased. His remains were interred beside those of his wife in Oakwood. The following is an extract from one of the obituaries appearing in the local papers at the time of his death: "We all know of his generous benefactions, his gift to the city of the J. C. HAMMOND Hospital and its partial support for some time, and his other charities — made so quietly and conscientiously. He was exemplary in many ways, a man of no bad habits, and while not of a strongly religious nature, he was a believer in the Bible and carried out its teachings in so far as lay in his power. Of a peace-loving disposition, he was loath to trouble those about him and during his long illness was always striving to efface self and to say and do just the right thing. He was a quiet, unassuming character but full of good cheer and kindliness to all, and he leaves many friends here that he made in his journeyings who will sadly regret his passing. We who have witnessed his patience under sufferings endured for years, knowing full well what the inevitable result would be, must feel that a wonderfully courageous example has been given us, and while we regret that his life has been brought to its close, yet we ought to feel that his release from suffering is a blessing."

SOURCE: KINER, Henry L. History of Henry County, Illinois Vol. II Pp. 28-30. Pioneer Publ. Chicago. 1910.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2010