My Genealogy Hound

JOHN HARRIS HAMMOND. This prominent and well-to-do agriculturist of the town of Marathon, who is attending closely to his chosen occupation on his fine farm, Maple Side, located some two miles from the village, was born in the above town, October 24, 1856, and is a son of Samuel and Lucy Ann (Stanley) Hammond.

The Hammond family, of which our subject is one of the leading members in this section of the country, is justly entitled to a high rank as one of the old and substantial families of Cortland County, and the Tioughnioga Valley. The founder of the family in this county was Deacon John Hammond, a native of Long Island, who, seeking to better his condition, emigrated to the town of Marathon, one mile from the present village of that name, locating in that favored spot about the beginning of the present century. He set to work with a will to hew himself a home out of the forest and to prepare the virgin soil for the plow and the subsequent crops. He succeeded admirably in this work of conquest, and lived to a good old age to see his farm increase in productiveness and the country round about develop from the uninhabited forest to well-tilled farms, and comfortable homes. He was a man of strict integrity, and intense religious zeal. He was a pioneer Baptist in this part of the county, and his title of deacon was accorded him through his great activity in the church, and the influence for good he wielded. It was a title that was well merited. He married Phoebe Davis, and had a family of thirteen children, among them being Samuel Hammond, the father of Clark, John Harris, and Samuel D. Hammond, substantial farmers of the town of Marathon.

Samuel Hammond, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in 1814, and lived there all his life, dying in 1893. Farming was his sole occupation. In politics he early espoused the cause of the old line Whigs, and later became a Republican upon the organization of that party, and ever afterward steadfastly voted with the party of Lincoln, Grant and Garfield. He was a man of pronounced views, though unbiased in his judgment, and always took a lively, as well as an intelligent, interest in public affairs. For a matter of twenty-six years he served as assessor of his town. He married Lucy Ann Stanley, which union resulted in the birth of the following five children: Ballard, who died at the age of twelve years; Clark S.; Bradley, who only lived to be eight years old, when he was called Home; John Harris, our subject; and Samuel D. Of the above Clark S. Hammond was born February 7, 1853, on the homestead, was reared there and given a common school education; he has always followed the pursuits of agriculture. He is prominent in local politics as a steadfast, loyal Republican, and is now serving his fourth year as the assessor of the town. He married Nellie Powers, who died after one year of married life, leaving a daughter, Nellie. His second wife was Mary E. Hurd, daughter of George Hurd of Whitney’s Point, N. Y., and to them one child was given, Georgia. He is a member of the Marathon Grange. Samuel D. Hammond, whose sketch appears on another page of this work, was born July 4, 1858, and reared on the old homestead. He took up farming as an occupation, and is now engaged in farming his estate, which consists of 70 acres of the original property; he is a member of the Marathon Grange, No. 455, and has been its master three years. He is a Republican, and a member of the county committee. His wife, whom he married December 22, 1880, was Sarah Bryant, a daughter of Lewis Bryant of Cortland County. They have one son, Clarence S.

John Harris Hammond, the subject of this biography, finished his education begun in the district schools by a course in Wells Academy of Marathon. He remained on the farm until about twenty-three years of age, when he took a position in a drug store, where he continued to be employed for seven years. He then purchased a farm in the town of Marathon, two miles from the village of that name, and has been engaged in farming ever since. Among his neighbors he is esteemed as a man of excellent sense, good methodical habits, and ability to successfully perform whatever he undertakes. He is a strong Republican in his politics, and is at present supervisor of the town of Marathon. He takes an active, vigorous part in local politics, and is often delegated to represent his district in the county conventions. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and holds the office of ruling elder; he has represented his church in the Presbytery and in the Synod. Mr. Hammond was united in the bonds of matrimony with Addie L. Baker, daughter of Aden Baker of McGrawville, this county, December 12, 1877. Two children constitute their family: Annah L., born December 27, 1880; and Willis D., born July 17, 1886. Mr. Hammond is a member of the Marathon Grange.