Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Hammond, Lewis J 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 3:54 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

LEWIS J. HAMMOND, of Joliet, was born in Clear Creek, Cattaraugus County, N. 
Y., December 22, 1826, a son of James and Ruby (King) Hammond. He was one of 
six sons and daughters, the others being John, of McGregor, Iowa; Ruby A., who 
married Alonzo Grover, and occupies the old homestead in New York; Caroline, 
Mrs. Freeman Towne, deceased; William, deceased, who was a soldier in the 
Civil war; and King J. The last-named, who was a highly educated man, came to 
Joliet early in the '40s and taught school here for some years. Afterward he 
was in charge of the Lockport school, then taught in Wilmington, and later was 
the first teacher in the Plainfield Academy. For several years he was county 
superintendent of schools. His next enterprise was general merchandising at 
Plainfield, where he did a large business. Coming from that place to Joliet he 
was prominent in mercantile circles here for some time. He died May 5, 1895. 
Twice married, his first wife was Rosamond W. Randall, a half-sister of Judge 
Randall, who was a lawyer of prominence in the early days of Joliet. She was a 
niece of Chancellor Walworth, who was an attorney of national reputation, and 
whose lawbooks are regarded as an authority throughout the entire country. His 
second wife was Julia Briggs. Two children survive him by his first wife, Mrs. 
Rose Pilcher and Mrs. Carrie Rulifson, and four children by his second wife, 
Mrs. Lida B. Shaw, wife of Dr. John Bliss Shaw; Willard K., of Joliet; Mrs. 
Alice Flinn, of St. Paul; and Dr. Charles L. Hammond. Mrs. Julia (Briggs) 
Hammond was a native of Ohio. She became a teacher in early life, and was a 
Christian woman of rare excellence of character, honored and beloved by all 
who knew her. The Hammond family was founded in America by three brothers who 
came from England to America in an early day and settled in Rhode Island. The 
daughter of one of the brothers was afterward married to William Penn. Our 
subject's grandfather, Joseph Hammond, was born at Cramson, Providence County, 
R. I., March 9, 1767. He was married January 20, 1793, to Anna Talbot, a 
Scotch lady. Early in the '20s he moved to York state. The last fourteen years 
of his life were spent in the home of his son James, and there he died when 
eighty years of age. He was a man of temperate habits, never using tobacco or 
stimulants in any form. His Testament was his constant companion, and his life 
was moulded in accordance with its teachings. In his family there were six 
children, James, John, Nancy, Daniel, Joseph and Eliza, all deceased except 
Eliza, Mrs. Amos Sage. James Hammond was born in Foster, Providence County, R. 
I., January 14, 1794. When he was fifteen his parents removed to Norwich, 
Chenango County, N. Y. He received a good education and became an expert 
mathematician. For forty years he taught in public schools. While living in 
Norwich he married Miss King, who was born in Sheffield, Berkshire County, 
Mass., September 29, 1797. Early, in the '20s he moved to Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., where he acquired one hundred and sixty acres one-half mile from Clear 
Creek. Afterward he followed farming in addition to teaching, but, owing to 
his being crippled in one knee, he was unable personally to cultivate his 
place, but relied upon hired help. As justice of the peace his counsel for 
years was sought by the people of his locality. He was long a trustee in the 
Baptist Church. His death occurred October 24, 1862. The education of Lewis J. 
Hammond was obtained in common schools and at Fredonia and Randolph academies. 
When he was twenty-one he began to teach, an occupation that he followed for 
four years in Cattaraugus County, at Fredonia, Leon Center and Randolph. In 
the spring of 1852 he came to Joliet, and during the summer clerked in his 
brother's store. November 28 of the same year he married Louisa C. Ashley, who 
was born in Martinsburg, Lewis County, N. Y. Her father, Cyrus Ashley, was a 
deacon in the Baptist Church for sixty years, and was known as 
the "peacemaker." She was for seventeen years a teacher, and is a lady of 
talent, Christian influence, and practical and energetic disposition. After 
his marriage Mr. Hammond taught in the Oswego schools, then took the 
principalship of Plainfield academy, his wife being his assistant. In the fall 
of 1855 he went to Iowa, and, with Deacon Ashley, bought an extensive tract of 
land near Cedar Falls. The financial panic of 1857 pressed him closely for 
funds, and, to hold his land, he returned to teaching. For five years he and 
his wife taught in the Cedar Falls schools, and, meantime, he also 
superintended his farm. In 1861 he sold his land and turned his attention to 
the buying and shipping of live-stock to Chicago and New York, in which he 
continued successfully for twenty years. During the last ten years of this 
time he was a heavy dealer in and shipper of dressed pork, shipping to Boston 
and New York. In 1865 he removed to Joliet, and continued buying through 
Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, being one of the most 
extensive shippers in the west. Finally, in 1881, he retired from the 
business, since which time he has given his attention to the management of his 
property holdings. Having accumulated a competency, he is able to travel as 
inclination directs. He has made frequent visits to Florida,has also visited 
Mexico and southern California, as well as other points of climatic 
attractions or historical interest. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hammond is 
Ashley King Hammond, who has been remarkably successful in his chosen work. He 
is advertising manager of the St. Louis Republic, a. very responsible 
position, and one that he fills most creditably. By his marriage to Miss 
Jessie R. Robinson he has two sons, Ashley K. and Lewis J. The only daughter 
of Mr. Hammond is Flor- ence May, wife of Albert Grinton, confidential clerk 
of Samuel Cupples' Woodenware Company, in St. Louis, which is the largest of 
its kind in the world. Mr. Hammond attends the Baptist church and his wife is 
a member of the same. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, connected with the 
blue lodge of the order. Although very active in the support of the Republican 
party, he has always refused any nomination for office, preferring to devote 
himself wholly to his private interests.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/hammond1814nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 7.1 Kb