BIO: Thomas HAMER, Jr., Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 243-244. __________________________________________________________________ THOMAS HAMER, JR., farmer, Cottage, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Porter township, November 22, 1830, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hicks) Hamer. Thomas Hamer, Sr., was born in Lancaster county, and was of German descent. When a young man, he settled in Huntingdon county, farming and raising stock in Porter and West townships. He married Miss Elizabeth Hicks, a native of Huntingdon county. Their children were: Susan, deceased; Elizabeth (Mrs. William Piper), deceased; Mary, deceased wife of George Whittaker, a printer; Hetty (Mrs. David Sheesley), her husband a farmer in Logan township; Ann (Mrs. Edward Roberts), of Illinois; Collins, of Illinois; George, deceased, who served in the late war; and Jacob, of Illinois. Both parents died in Logan township. Mr. Hamer was a Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Thomas Hamer, Jr., attended the public schools, and assisted his father on the farm, where he remained until he was twenty-two. He then rented a farm in West township, was afterwards two years in Illinois, then back in West township, then spent one year in Blair county, and finally came to West township in 1891, where he has since remained. In Logan township, in 1858, he was married to Miss Melinda Waldsmith, who died in 1883. They had eight children: George, merchant, Petersburg, Pa.; Allison; Mary and Hewitt, twins; Emma, widow of Mordecai Johnson; Annie; Carrie; and Clara, who died at an early age. Mr. Hamer is an ardent Republican. He is a Methodist, and takes an active part in church work, rendering valuable service in the Sabbath-school.