Weld County, History of Colorado, BIOS: HAMMITT, Francis W (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 495-496



HON. FRANCIS W. HAMMITT.

 Hon. Francis W. Hammitt, deceased, was one of the pioneer 
settlers of Colorado who contributed much toward shaping its early 
history and later upbuilding, leaving the impress of his individuality 
upon the statute books of the state, advancing its material development 
through his important business interests and also contributing to its 
moral progress as an active worker in church and Sunday school. His 
life record constitutes an important chapter in Colorado's annals. He 
was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 18, 1833, a son of George and 
Ellen (Reeves) Hammitt, who were natives of New Jersey and Ohio 
respectively. The father removed to Stark county, Ohio, in early life 
and after his marriage took up his abode in Washington county, that 
state. Later he became a resident of Wapello county, Iowa, and in 1860 
arrived in Colorado. For a few years thereafter he operated a ranch 
near Fremont and passed away in that locality in 1876. His family 
numbered six children.

 Francis W. Hammitt was reared in Iowa and supplemented his early 
educational opportunities by study in an academy. When twenty years of 
age he taught his first term of school and for seven years followed 
that profession in Iowa and Missouri. After coming to Colorado he was 
active in the organization of School District No. 5, near Platteville, 
became the first teacher of the district and continued in the position 
for a second year. He was also long connected with the school board and 
throughout his entire life did everything in his power to advance the 
interests of public education, which he regarded as one of the nation's 
bulwarks.

 In 1860 Mr. Hammitt was married and soon after set out on his 
wedding journey, which was a trip across the plains. After traveling 
for two months the young couple arrived at their destination in Weld 
county and during that summer Mr. Hammitt homesteaded a quarter section 
of bottom land on section 36. township 3, range 67. He immediately 
began the arduous task of transforming the wild tract into fertile 
fields and carried on the work of further development and improvement 
for ten years without irrigation. For some years he was also 
extensively engaged in stock raising and he took up on his ranch the 
manufacture of cheese which he carried on quite extensively, being 
among the earliest promoters of that industry in the state. In 1878 he 
removed his cheese factory to Platteville and after operating it for a 
year or more sold out. In 1887 he rented his farm, putting aside the 
more active and arduous duties of agricultural life.

 As previously stated. Mr. Hammitt was married on the 29th of 
March, 1860, at which time Miss Sarah Duckworth became his wife, and to 
them were born seven children: Alva D., who is now a minister; Nellie; 
George W.; Carleton W.; Frank N., who is deceased; Elma; and Pearl. The 
wife and mother passed away September 29, 1878. and on the 15th of 
June, 1881, Mr. Hammitt was again married, his second union being with 
Mrs. Louie (Lycam) Shea, the widow of Henry Shea and a daughter of 
Jeremiah and Emeline (Lowrey) Lycam. To Mr. Hammitt's second marriage 
were born three children: Grace, the wife of Samuel Hughell, residing 
in Idaho; Guy L., living in Denver; and Peter, who died in infancy.

 For many years Mr. Hammitt figured prominently in connection with 
public events in Colorado. In 1861 he was elected president of the 
Platte River Claims Club and acted in that capacity until the 
organization of the territory of Colorado. He was appointed the first 
probate judge of Weld county and at the close of his first term was 
reappointed but declined to serve for a longer period. In 1874 he was 
elected county commissioner and was chairman of the board for two 
years. In 1886 he was elected by a large majority to the state 
legislature and during his term succeeded in securing the passage of a 
number of important bills through the house only to have them defeated 
in the senate. He was mayor of Platteville for four terms and did much 
for the improvement and development of the town in many ways looking 
beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and 
possibilities of the future. He was an active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and for more than thirty years served on its official 
board, while for many years he was superintendent of its Sunday school. 
He was also quite prominent in temperance work and in fact his aid and 
influence were ever given on the side of those interests which make for 
the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community. In 
the edition of the Greeley News of July 4, 1917, is an interesting 
picture of the old log cabin where Mr. Hammitt held court in 1867. In 
fact there are few features of Weld county's development and progress 
with which his name is not associated and because of his useful, 
upright and honorable life his memory remains as a blessed benediction 
to all who knew him. He passed away in Platteville, November 24, 1915, 
after a few days' illness. In March of the following year Mrs. Hammitt 
sold her interests at Platteville and removed to Fort Lupton, where she 
purchased an attractive residence which she has since occupied.