BIO: Collins HAMOR, 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 201-202. __________________________________________________________________ COLLINS HAMOR, JR., formerly of Porter township, near Alexandria, was born December 24, 1837; his parents were Collins and Margaret (Beatty) Hamor. Collins Hamor, Sr., was also a native of Huntingdon county, born February 25, 1794. He was of German descent, and had excellent command of the language of the fatherland. He married Margaret Beatty, who was Irish by birth, and for sixteen years after marriage they resided upon a farm in Harts Log valley. At the end of that time Mr. Hamor bought the present homestead of the family, a tract of 256 acres, which he cultivated until his death, March 11, 1852. His wife survived him until November 5, 1877. Their children were: Susanna, born May 18, 1821, died at the age of eighteen; Eliza, born December 24, 1823, died August 18, 1860; Jane, born December 17, 1825, married John Disert, of Porter township, resides in Alexandria; Nancy, born March 16, 1827, resides at Tyrone, Pa.; Solomon, born February 8, 1829, served in Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the war of the Rebellion, now resides in Porter township; William, born February 13, 1831, died August 25, 1866; Ellen, born January 16, 1833, married Capt. D. Ross Miller, who also served in the late war, and now resides in Tyrone; Margaret, born December 25, 1834, died June 29, 1842; Collins, Jr.; Samuel, born May 16, 1839, died July 15, 1842; Margaret and Samuel died of scarlet fever. Collins Hamor, Jr., had a good common school education, was trained from boyhood in the business of cultivating the soil, and devoted his attention to farming throughout his life, residing upon and cultivating the homestead from the time of his marriage. He took no active part in public affairs, and when elected to the office of tax collector, declined the honor. He was a person of quiet tastes, and preferred to confine his attention to his family and business interests. He was, however, highly esteemed in the community, and especially in the Presbyterian church, of which he was a faithful and devout member. Collins Hamor, Jr., was married February 25, 1868, to Almira Gibboney, daughter of David and Mary Ann (Foster) Waldsmith. Their children are: Ida C.; Margaret M.; William A.; and Ralph Collins. The family reside upon the homestead. The death of the father occurred February 23, 1895, while he was still in the prime of manhood, at the age of fifty-seven. His remains are interred in the cemetery at Alexandria. Almira G. (Waldsmith) Hamor was born June 12, 1844, in Barree township, Huntingdon county. Her family removed to West township when she was ten years old; there she grew up, and lived with her parents until she was married. Her father, David Waldsmith, was a native of Juniata county, Pa., and a farmer. He came to Huntingdon county before his marriage, and resided in Barree township; at the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1890, he was a resident of Oneida township. Mrs. Waldsmith died in 1878. Both held their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, although Mr. Waldsmith's family and early training were Presbyterian.