Nathaniel Hammond, blacksmith, wagon-maker and farmer, section 22, Lodomillo Township, was born in Alleghany County, Pa., Jan. 17, 1818. His parents, Nathaniel and Betsey (Whaley) Hammond, were natives of the Green Mountain State. Nathaniel, Jr., at the age of eleven years was employed on the Pennsylvania, Erie and New York canals, and when thirteen years old engaged in steamboating and sailing on the great lakes, the Mississippi and St. Lawrence Rivers and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He followed that business until he was twenty-nine years old, when he came West. Prior to settling in Clayton County, he resided in Richmond, Wis., two years, Iroquois County, Ill., two years, Kane County, Ill., and in 1851 went to California where he mined and prospected one year, then returned to Kane County. In 1853 removed to Delaware County, Ia., and in the spring of 1870 purchased his present farm in Lodomillo Township and a steam sawmill which he has since sold. In June, 1838, he was married to Emeline Coon, of Oswego County, N.Y., who died April 5, 1844, having been the mother of two children, one living-- Samuel C., who married Harriet Carney. He was married again on May 15, 1844, to Hannah Church, who was born in Genesee County, N.Y. Her mother was a cousin to General Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. Of nine children born of this union, six are living-- Emeline, wife of Hiram Watts; Alexander, who married Mrs. Amanda Adams, nee Reed; Orrin D., married Alise Adams; Eliza E., married Calvin Reed; Harmon P., married Sarah Bower, and Charles R. Mr. Hammond owns 280 acres of choice land, 150 under excellent improvement. His son Samuel C. served in the late Rebellion under General Banks. Mrs. Hammond's brother was starved to death in Libby Prison. In politics Mr. Hammond is a Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 890-891 |