Holmes Hammond

From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 263, 264

HOLMES HAMMOND, a prominent pioneer of this county of June 1843, and a highly respected citizen of Clinton, is a native of the Green Mountain State, his birth having occurred in Windsor on the 17th day of January, 1807. His parents were JABEZ H. AND Mary (ROWE) HAMMOND, who were of New England descent, and who after their marriage settled in Windsor, where the following children were born unto them, namely: Cecilia, the eldest, died at the age of sixteen years; Faunce wedded Miss Mary THOMPSON, and died in Craftsbury, Vt.; Calvin became the husband of Miss Lucy McGRATH, and died in Windsor; Stephen married Lavina McGRATH, and died in Rock County, Wis.; Jabez departed this life at the age of fifteen years; Jerry, whose death occurred in Windsor, was the husband of Huldah DAVIS; James married and died in Rock County, Wis.; Elon was twice married, and his death occurred in Vermont; Daniel, who died in Windsor, was united in marriage with Mary SAWINS; Jabez married Adaline CLARK, and is now living in Massachusetts. Jabez H. HAMMOND was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that occupation for a livelihood during his entire life. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were greatly respected in the community where they resided. When our subject was seven years of age, he was placed in the family of Calvin CHAPIN, a mason, with whom he remained until attaining his majority. He learned the trade with Mr. CHAPIN, and after leaving the home of that gentleman remained in his employ for one year. He thoroughly mastered the trade of masonry, and became an expert workman, whom few could excel. In 1832 he united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Sarah MARCY, who was born in Windsor, Vt., in 1805, and was a daughter of Prosper MARCY. The young couple began their domestic life in the State which had always been their home, and there continued to reside until 1843, when they started for the West. Going by team to Troy, N.Y., they there boarded a canal boat for Buffalo, and while making the journey to that city, Mr. HAMMOND first saw a railroad train. On landing at Buffalo, accompanied by his family he embarked on a steamer bound for Milwaukee, which was wrecked on the return voyage. The journey was then continued with teams, the company stopping the first night at Vernon, Waukesha County. On arriving at the Fox River it was found that the water was so high that they could not proceed farther, and were obliged to wait until the following morning when it had somewhat subsided. Mr. HAMMOND then hired a man who took the women across on horses, while he carried the youngest daughter on his back. Finally succeeding in getting everything across, they continued on their way until reaching the home of an acquaintance, Royal BILEY, with whom they spent a few weeks. In the meantime our subject had purchased a farm of 240 acres on which a little log cabin had been built, while twenty-five acres had been broken and fifty fenced. Into that little home he moved with his family, and there continued to reside for fifteen years. He immediately began the development of his land, carrying on the work of cultivation and improvement until 1855, when he sold out and purchased another farm near Eagle. Two years later he came to Rock County and located in Clinton, where he erected the home in which he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. HAMMOND became the parents of three children - Caroline, wife of Thomas WILLIAMS, who is located in Milwaukee; Martha, wife of A. W. BALDWIN, an attorney-at-law of Milton, Wis.; and Emma, who became the wife of J. W. HARTSHORN, of Clinton, and died at the age of twenty-nine years. The death of Mrs. HAMMOND occurred at Janesville in 1873, and the husband was again married in 1874, when Caroline W. WINKLER, a native of Livingston County, N.Y., born July 7, 1826, became his wife. Her parents were John and Julia A (GREENE) WINKLER, who had a family of twelve children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood - Calita B. married Ormand HAYDEN, of Waterloo, Wis.; Edwin R. is living in Boone County, Ill.; Corydon is a resident of New York; Caroline is the honored wife of our subject. John is living in New Lisbon, Wis.; Mary wedded Isaac HINTON, whose home is in Blue Earth, Minn.; and Sarah is the wife of William LAW; she is a resident of Boone County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. WINKLER emigrated to the West in 1840, settling in Boone County, Ill., where both passed away. They were active and consistent members of the Baptist Church, and at their death the community lost two valued citizens. Politically, Mr. HAMMOND is a Republican and in early life cast his ballot with the Whig party. In 1840, he voted for Gen. William Henry Harrison, and in 1888 voted for Benjamin Harrison, our present Executive and the grandson of Tippecanoe hero. None stand higher in the community than Mr. HAMMOND, who has for so many long years been identified with the growth and progress of Rock County, and has witnessed almost its entire development. To those pioneers who have borne the hardships and trials of frontier life is due a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid, but we can honor them in life, and when they shall have passed away holding their memory in loving regard. Mr. and Mrs. HAMMOND are strong believers in spiritualism, as was also his first wife. The present Mrs. HAMMOND is recognized as a clairvoyant and magnetic healer. As a medium she professes power to communicate with the departed. When Mr. HAMMOND came to Clinton, he could scarcely get a place in which to hold a séance, and therefore, in 1858, erected a hall to be used for that purpose. He is now eighty-two years of age, hale and hearty, and with the noble lady, who is a true companion to him, passed along the journey of life with no fears for the great future. The reader's attention is called to the excellent portraits which accompany this sketch.

Submitted By Carol