GEORGE W. HAMER was born in Marion Township, Lawrence County, Ind.  His
parents were Hugh and Elizabeth (Fitzpatrick) Hamer, the former a native of
New York, the latter of Ohio.   Hugh, as an apprentice to Mr. Hammersley,
came to Indiana at an early day.  In 1825 he and his brother, Thomas L.,
rented the mill in Marion Township which still bears their name.  In 1831
they purchased it, operating it until about 1849, when Hugh assumed full
control, and conducted it until his death, March 10, 1872.  While together
the brothers also operated a distillery, which Hugh afterward had charge of.
From about 1843 to 1858 the family kept store there.  Hugh Hamer was
commissioned Postmaster at Spring Mill (the name of the postoffice at
Hamer's Mill), by President Jackson, and continued in this charge until the
building of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway.  He was also County
Commissioner.  Was elected to the Senate and Lower House of the State
Legislature, being the first Whig ever elected to that body from Lawrence
County.  He was a man of great natural powers of mind.  In his family were
eight children.  Mrs. Hamer, widow of Hugh, till survives him, although
quite advanced in age.  Her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Johnson)
Fitzpatrick, were natives of Pennsylvania;  came to Bono Township January,
1814. George W. Hamer was reared in his father's mill and on the farm,
receiving such education as the schools of that early day afforded.  When
twenty-one years old he rented the mill and operated it and the distillery
for three years;   then moved to the farm where he now lives, where he has
since been engaged in farming.  He owns 600 acres of land.  In politics he
is a Republican.  He served seven months in the war in the One Hundred and
Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company H, acting as Wagon Master.
He was married to Miss Priscilla Leach, June 16, 1859.  She was born in
Lawrence County, September 15, 1843.  Their union has been blessed with six
children:  James F., Harry C. (deceased), Minnie M. (deceased), Ida M.
(deceased), George A. and Ralph N.  Mr. Hamer is a Mason and is Master of
Lawrenceport Lodge, No. 543, F. & A. M.;  and is also a Royal Arch Mason.


Data Entry Volunteer:  Diana Flynn  "ivie@tima.com"