Biographical Sketch of Wyatt H. Hammond, Holden, Johnson County, Missouri >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Wyatt H. Hammond, although one of the oldest of the widely known citi- zens of Holden, is one of the most prominent mule buyers and shippers in this section of Missouri. For more than 20 years, he has been en- gaged in this business and is recognized as an expert judge of mules. Thousands of Missouri mules have passed through his sale barns during past years and he is doing a most extensive business, one whose reputa- tion has been steadily built up by honest methods of conducting sale transactions. Mr. Hammond was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, on November 8, 1840 and was a son of Mark and julia A. (Boone) Hammond, the former, a native of Virginia and the latter, a native of Kentucky. Mark Hammond was reared to manhood in his native state and there was married. He resided in his native state until 1854, when he came to Missouri and located on the old Cockrell farm of 500 acres which he bought for ten dollars an acre. Unimproved land at this period could be purchased in Johnson county at the government sale price of $1.25 an acre, but Mr. Hammond, Sr. had the means and inclination to purchase an improved farm rather than buy raw land and improve it. He resided on his farm until late in life when he located in Holden where he spent his last days in peaceful retirement. Mrs. Hammond, the mother of the subject of this review, died in Holden at the age of 90 years. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hammond were parents of five sons, three of whom served in the Southern army during the war between the states. William Hammond was killed at the battle of Helena, Arkansas, while serving under Gen. Price. Thomas D. Hammond, another son, also served in the Confederate army and after the war closed returned to Johnson county and engaged in the hog and cattle business. He died in Holden in 1914. Wyatt H. Hammond enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861 and served under various commanders. He remained in the service until the close of the war and took part in many engagements during the course of his military career. He was discharged from the service at Shreveport, Louisiana. He was once wounded in the right arm, but was never taken prisoner. Among the hard fought battles, in which he took an active part, were: Jenkins Ferry, Louisiana; Pleasant Hill; and Helena. At the battle of Helena, Arkansas, he was but a short distance from his brother when he was killed during the heat of the engagement. After the war ended, he returned home and settled on 120 acres of land which he proceeded to develop and create into a fine farming property and then later moved to Murray place, which served as his home until 1896. He came to Holden in that year and established the mule buying business, which now bears his name, which business has made him widely and favorably known throughout this section of Missouri. The business is conducted under the firm name of Hammond & Son, the father being assisted by his son, A. J. Hammond. Mr. Hammond was married in 1866 to Penelope A. Murray, now an invalid, a daughter of David J. Murray, who was killed while in the Confederate service. Her mother was Mary Evelyn (Bradley) Murray. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond have three children, namely: May, wife of J. B. McDonald, Independence, Mo.; Lizzie, a public school teacher, who re- sides with her parents; A. J., who makes his home with his father and is associated with him in the mules business. Mr. Hammond is a member of the Presbyterian church and contributes of his means to religious and all worthy enterprises. During his long residence in Johnson coun- ty, he has always been prominently identified with the Democratic party and is recognized as one of the "wheel-horses" of his party. He has ever taken a keen and influential interest in the activites of the same and has assisted materially in its successes. He has filled the impor- tant post of chairman of the Democratic central committee. Mr. Hammond has ever been ready to assist a friend who is seeking political pre- ferment. The city of Holden and Johnson county consider this sturdy, old pioneer as a most valued and useful citizen, a man whose business integrity is of the best and whose methods of dealing are such as to have built up a large clientelle. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================