Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery.

Hamer, Lt Col. Thomas, 1818-1906 (buried April 4) 84 Ill Vol Inf, Lot 119 1st Add.

[Brøderbund Family Archive #317, Ed. 1, Census Index: U.S. Selected Counties, 1850, Date of Import: Apr 7, 1998, Internal Ref. #1.317.1.13618.198]

Individual: Hamer, Thomas

County/State: Fulton Co., IL

Location: Vermont

Page #: 091

Year: 1850

#9 #9

Thomas Hamer 32 m Merchant $2250 PA Just marr

Harriet E. Hamer 19 f NY Just marr

[Brøderbund Family Archive #318, Ed. 1, Census Index: U.S. Selected States/Counties, 1860, Date of Import: Sep 10, 1999, Internal Ref. #1.318.1.15272.181]

Individual: Hamer, Thomas

County/State: Fulton Co., IL

Location: Vermont

Page #: 296

Year: 1860

1870 Heritage Quest Index to the Illinois Census

HAMER, THOMAS 52 M W PA FULTON CO VERMONT TWP p291

1880 Census of Fulton County Illinois -- Vermont Town - 057-017, p 416 - 172-177

Hamer, Thomas w m 62 head mar Retired Dry Goods Merchant PA PA PA

Mariett w f 45 wife mar Keeping House NY NY NY

Le Ray w m 16 son sing Attending school IL PA NY (Most likely this is Thomas Ray, Jr)

1900 Census of Fulton County Illinis - Vermont Twp, p310 - 20-21

Hamer, Thomas Head w m June 1818 81 Wid 49 PA PA PA Retired

Amrine, Wylie Dau w f Apr 1857 43 m 21 5-4 IL PA NY ------

Amrine, Ansel Son in law w m Dec 1855 44 m 21 IL PA OH Farmer

LeClare H. Grandson w m Nov 1879 20 s IL IL IL School

Chauncy S. Grandson w m Feb 1881 19 s IL IL IL School

Thomas H. Grandson w m May 1883 17 s IL IL IL School

Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography of the Nineteenth Century.

page 441

HAMER, THOMAS, soldier, farmer, merchant, legislator, was born June 1, 1818, in Union county, Pa. He received his education at the Milton academy; and moved to Illinois in 1846. He served in the union army during the civil war as colonel of the eighty-fourth regiment Illinois volunteer infantry; was wounded at the battle of Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862; had two horses shot from under him; and was presented by his men with a gold watch for gallantry on the field of battle. He has held nearly all the minor offices in the gift of his town and county; represented his district for four years in the Illinois state legislature; and for eight years was a member of the state senate, his last term expiring on Jan. 1, 1897. He has retired from private and public service; and is an honored citizen of Vermont, Ill.

The History (1879) of Fulton County article about Thomas Ray Hamer calls into question James' connection to Thomas Hamer, Sr (b1730) since it calls James the father of James. However, the grandfather of Thomas Hamer is said to have been James Hamer, and would thus be James Hamer's (b1785) great grandfather. The date of birth of this James Hamer matches that found in the Thomas Hamer Bible. The census records show James Hamer in the county and township of Thomas Hamer in 1810; show him in Union County in 1820 where Thomas Ray was born, then back in Northumberland until moving to Illinois in 1846. This biographical note was written after James' death and could be erroneous since James was young (15 yrs old) when his father(?) Thomas died and family tradition could have mixed up the facts. The DAR records of Mrs. Nellie May Atherton also show Thomas Hamer as the father of James Hamer.

FROM PAGE 917-18 HISTORY OF FULTON CO, IL PUB PEORIA, CHAS C CHAPMAN AND CO 1879

"COL. THOMAS HAMER was born in Union Co, PA in 1818. His father, James HAMER, was b in 1785, also in PA, and he was the son of James HAMER, of

Scotland, who settled in Northumberland Co prior to the Revolutionary war, and was elected the first Sheriff of that county. He married ELIZABETH LYON and had 8 children, the eldest of whom was James. James H was a farmer, settled in Vermont, IL in 1845, and died there. He was a very generous man. COL THOMAS HAMER received a thorough education in his youth, besides being brought up at farm work; clerked in a drygoods and grocery store for several years; in 1847 was employed as clerk by Joab MERSHON for two years, then entered partnership with Jas A RUSSELL and Richard JOHNSON in the dry goods line, and prospered until the spring of 1851, when Jack MATHENY plundered the store and set fire to the building, entailing a total loss of $8,000. He was then in partnership with E&P HAMER until 1861, when the war broke out, and he organized Cos B and F, 84th ILL Inf, and was commissioned Major. He beat BRAGG in a race to Louisville, KY, and afterward was engaged in pursuit of the same rebel general in a race for Nashville; was wounded at the battle of Stone River, but next day after receiving the wound he commanded so valiantly that his men gave him a gold watch as a testimonial of his enthusiasm; his wound, however, compelled him to resign. He came home and finally recovered. In 1864 he entered mercantile business, which he followed until 1876, when he sold out to AYRES and WHITNEY. He has been Supervisor, and has been nominated three different times for the Legislature by the Republican party, drawing the full vote; has been delegate to every Republican county convention held since he came into the State; and was elected President of the Annual Army Reunion at Springfield. In 1850 he married Harriet E JOHNSON, daughter of Franklin JOHNSON, a native of NY. Has had 6 children: two are living now, namely, Wylie and Lee Ray.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Illinois. Chicago: Biographical Publ Co, c1890. p235-237. This later county history is more accurate than Chapman, 1879.

COL. THOMAS HAMER. On the opposite page is presented a lithographic portrait of this gentleman, who is one of the representative citizens and prominent residents of Fulton County. He has distinquished himself in various walks of life, both as a brave officer in the late war, a prominent civilian, an able statesman, and a successful man of business. He is an old settler of this section, and has long been influential in its political and social life, and has been a potent factor in advancing its commerce and agriculture, and its material interests generally. For many years a resident of Vermont, the Colonel is living in one of the most attractive homes of this beautiful village. He has retired from business, but is active in public life as State Senator, representing Fulton and Knox Counties in the General Assembly of Illinois.

Our subject is derived from fine Revolutionary stock, both his paternal and maternal grandparents having done good service in the struggle of American Colonists for freedom from the mother country. He was born in White Deer Township, Union County, Pa., June 1, 1818. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Seibert) Hamer, who were natives of Northumberland and Lancaster Counties, Pa., respectively, his father having been born in March 1784, and his mother in February, 1786. The paternal grandparents, Thomas and Ellen (Lyon) Hamer, came from Scotland to this country prior to the Revolution and settled in Northumberland County, Pa., taking up their abode in Chillisquaque Township on a large tract of land.

Thomas Hamer became a prominent man in those parts. He was the first sheriff of Northumberland County, and served in the Revolution as Captain under Gen. Greene, and filled various offices. He was the father of the following children: James, Thomas, William, Joseph, Jesse, Abraham, John, Elizabeth, Nancy, and Wyllie, all of whom married and reared families, having settled in various states. William moved to Brown County, Ohio. He had a son, Thomas L. Hamer, who became a prominent attorney, and commanded an Ohio Brigade as Brigadier General in the Mexican War. He represented his district in Congress and appointed Gen. Grant to West Point. His brilliant career was cut short at the end of the Mexican War by his untimely death at the age of forty-five, at Ft. Brown, Texas.

The maternal grandparents of our subject were Joseph and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Seibert, who came to this country from Prussia in Colonial times, and located in Union County, Pa. He was a farmer by occupation. In the struggle of the Colonists for independence he gave his services to his adopted country and was a good soldier during the Revolution. His children were: John, Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah and Christina.

The father of our subject served in the War of 1812 in the company of his brother, Capt. Thomas Hamer, and was afterward Captain of a militia regiment. He was married in Union county, Pa., and in the fall of 1846 with his family emigrated to Illinois, traveling from Pittsburg by boat to St. Louis, whence they made their way with a wagon to Vermont. The father located in this township on eighty acres of land on section 19, resided there until three years of his death, in the summer of 1871. His wife preceded him to the other shore, dying in the winter of 1870 in Vermont Village. They were devoted Christians, and while they lived in Pennsylvania were members of the Baptist Church, but after coming to Illiois they united with the Christian Church, and remained true to that faith. Mr. and Mrs. Hamer were parents of the following nine children: James, who came to Ogle County, Ill., in 1844; Margaret; Ellen, who died in Pennsylvania; Thomas; Joseph; John; Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel Doebler; Sarah, the wife of Benjamin Swartz, and Samuel, who died in 1851. Margaret is the wife of the Rev. Adnah A. Hecox, a prominent Methodist minister of California. She keeps the light-house at Santa Cruz, Cal., having been appointed to that position by Abraham Lincoln.

Col. Thomas Hamer passed the early years of his life on his father's farm, and was given the advantages of a substantial education in the English branches at Wilton [Milton] Academy. At the age of sixteen he entered upon a practical training for a mercantile career by becoming clerk in a store, and he was thus engaged in his native State until he came to Illinois, when he acted in a like capacity for Joab Mershon, of Vermont, remaining with him two years. He established himself in business in 1850, and carried it on successfully until 1861, when he sold it to his cousins, Edward and Patterson Hamer. He subsequently devoted himself to his country and patriotically gave his services for the defense of the dear old flag.

With characteristic energy, and a military fervor inherited from his ancestors, our subject set about the work of aiding to raise a regiment for the service, and was prominent in enlisting and equipping the Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantry, commanded by Col. Lewis H. Waters, and was himself appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment by Gov. Yates. He proved to be a most courageous and efficient officer; his military career was brought to a close, however, at the battle of Stone River, as he was there so wounded and disabled that he was rendered unfit for further service. He had three horses shot under him while leading his men to charge the enemy, and in the thickest of the fight he was wounded in his left breast, had his left shoulder broken and his right knee injured. Notwithstanding the serious injuries he sustained that day, the gallant and determined Colonel appeared on the field the next day and assumed the command of his men. They were so delighted at the heroism and fortitude displayed by their valiant leader that they gave him a gold watch as a testimonial of their admiration of his conduct. He was obliged to resign his commission after that on account of his physical condition, and after the battle of Chickamauga he was honorably discharged from the army.

In connection with the military life of our subject we will add the following incident, gleaned from an article in the Chicago "Inter Ocean", of his early career, relating "How and Why Fulton County's Industrious Legislator Failed to Become a West Pointer". Young Hamer entered the office of his cousin, Congressman Thomas L. Hamer, in Ohio, after he left his home in the Keystone State, and while there a vacancy occurred at West Point, which it was his cousin's privilege to fill, and he suggested to his young relative that he become a cadet at the famous military school. Our subject gladly availed himself of the opportunity thus offered to gain a military education, and laid aside his law books and went to Washington. His commission was made out and he was waiting to go where he was to receive several months preliminary training, when his cousin came to him one day and said: "Tom, this arrangement I made for you to go to West Point is all spoiled. Here's a letter I just got from Jesse Grant asking me to appoint his son. Now Grant is an influential man in my district out in Ohio. The district is very close. I want his influence, but I don't want any charge of nepotism brought against me. I want to have Grant's influence, so, Tom, I'll have to withdraw your name and get Grant's son appointed in your place." Our subject could do nothing better than to gracefully yield the point and withdraw, which he did. General Grant never forgot the Hamers and during his Presidency when his influence was asked to have the Colonel's son Le Ray appointed to West Point, he promptly and cheerfully preferred the request for his appointment, which was concurred in by Secretary Lincoln. Much to our subject's disappointment his son finally decided not to accept the appointment, but the General's kindly offices in the matter have never been forgotten.

After his return from the South our subject was unable to get out for six months, but as soon as he recovered sufficiently he resumed business, built a fine store and carried on a large and profitable trade until 1878, when he leased his building, sold his business, and retired. He also managed a farm of eighty acres besides attending to his other affairs. Col. Hamer has been a conspicuous figure in the public and political life of town and county from early days. He has represented Vermont as a member of the County Board of Supervisors four terms, and has held various local offices. He has been a delegate to nearly every State Convention since he came to Illinois, first as a Whig, and after the formation of the Republican Party as its representative. In 1848 the Whigs nominated him for the Lower House of the Legislature, and although he had a Democratic majority of nine hundred to overcome, he came within three votes of being elected. In 1852 he was again nominated, and this time was elected, but was counted out. He was prominently mentioned as a candidate for Congress, and was urged by his friends to accept the nomination, but declined and used his influence for Gen. Post. In the fall of 1886 the Colonel was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, and so acceptably did he serve in that capacity, that he was elected to the State Senate in 1888 to represent Fulton and Knox Counties in that honorable body, of which he is still a member. His long experience as a business man and as a politician has been of value to him in his legislative career, and his course as a statesman has justified his selection as Representative and as State Senator by his constituents.

As a member of various important committees ... [Paragraph skipped.]

Col. Hamer has been a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for forty-eight years, and originated the Vermont lodge, and he has been connected with the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons for thirty years. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife belongs to the Universalist Church. He is popular with all with whom he associates. He is gifted with a frank, generous nature, is a lover of fun, and is a witty and entertaining conversationalist. He has gathered a never ending fund of anecdotes, and is never more interesting than when he is relating some story of his experiences of the war, of life in camp and on the battlefield.

Our subject has been twice married. March 25, 1850, his union with Miss Harriet E. Johnson was solemnized. She was the daughter of Franklin and Hopy (King) Johnson, who came to this State from Herkimer County, N.Y., and were early settlers of Vermont, where Mr. Johnson was a pioneer druggist. Seven children were born to our subject by that marriage, of whom four boys died when from two to four years of age, and one daughter at the age of six years. The children living are: Wyllie, wife of Ansel Amrine; and Le Ray. The latter is States Attorney at Oklahoma. He is well educated, a graduate of Abingdon College and Bloomington Law School. He stands high in business and political circles, and is an orator of ability. Mrs. Hamer departed this life April 13, 1871, at the age of forty years, leaving behind her a good record as wife, mother, and friend. She was a sincere Christian. In early life, with her husband she was a member of the Congregational Church, but the exigencies of the war broke up that church, so many of its members were removed, and she afterward connected herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The marriage of our subject to his present wife, formerly Miss Maryette Johnson, a sister of his first wife, was consummated August 10, 1876, and has been productive of mutual happiness.

COLONEL HAMER DEAD

Prominent Pioneer, Successful Business Man and Politician

Gone to His Reward Dies at Home of His Son, Col. T.R. Hamer, St. Anthony, Idaho Aged 87 years, 9 months, 28 days. Our little village was greatly shocked Saturday morning when messages were received by relatives and friends announcing the sad news of the death of Col. Thomas Hamer of St. Anthony, Idaho. He died at the home of his son, Col. T.R. Hamer, of that city, Friday afternoon, March 30, 1906, at the ripe old age of 87 years, 9 months, and 28 days. Col. Thomas Hamer was born in White Deer Township, Union County, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1818. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Seibert) Hamer, who were natives of Northumberland and Lancaster counties, Pennnsylvania, respectively, who with their family emigrating to Illinois in the fall of 1846, traveling from Pittsburg by boat to St. Louis, whence they made their way with a wagon to Vermont, where they located on 80 acres of land on section 19. Mr. & Mrs. James Hamer were the parents of the following children: James, Margaret, Ellen, Thomas, Joseph, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Samuel, of whom four are still living: Margaret Hecox, of Santa Cruz, California; Joseph who is now in Canton, Illinois; Elizabeth Deobler and Sarah Swartz, of this city.

[Paragraphs from Portrait and Biographical Album (1890) are included in the obituary, but here omitted.] Col. Hamer was a faithful member of the Christian Church of this city. He was twice married. March 25, 1850, the union with Miss Harriet E. Johnson was solemnized. She was the daughter of Franklin and Hopy (King) Johnson who came to this state from Herkimar County, New York, and were early settlers of Vermont, where Mr. Johnson was a pioneer druggist. Seven children were born by that marriage, of which four boys died when from two to four years of age, and one daughter died at six years of age. The children living are Wyllie, wife of Ansel Amrine, of this city, and Col. T.R. Hamer of St. Anthony, Idaho. Mrs. Hamer departed this life April 13, 1871, at the age of forty years. [Quote from Portrait and Biographical Album follows, but omitted here.] On August 10, 1876, Col. Hamer was joined in marriage to Miss Maryette Johnson, sister of his first wife [Quote from Album omitted here.] Mrs. Col. Hamer departed this life March 21, 1900. Besides the two children, Col. T.R. Hamer, of St Anthony, and Mrs. Wyllie Amrine of this city, and brothers and sisters, Col. Hamer leaves to mourn his death five grandchildren: LeClare Amrine of Monmouth, Chauncy and Tom Amrine of this city, and Bessie and Consuelo Hamer of St. Anthony, Idaho. A funeral service was conducted in St. Anthony by the Masonic Lodge, and was one of the largest ever held in that city. Then the remains, accompanied by his son, Ray, was [sic] brought to Vermont, arriving here on the noon train Tuesday, and taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wylie Amrine. The funeral was held from the Christian Church Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock and was attended by a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends. The sermon by Eld. G. W. Ross was one of the best funeral discourses ever delivered here. After a last, sad look at Col. Hamer's earthly body, the remains were conveyed to the village cemetery, where the Masons laid him to rest with Masonic ceremonies.

Burial: April 03, 1906, Fulton County, Illinois (Vermont Cemetery)

Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery.

Hamer, Harriet E., Wife, 1830-1871, Lot 119 1st Add.

Burial: 1871, Fulton County, Illinois (Vermont Cemetery)

Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery.

Hamer, Maryette, Wife of Thomas, 1833-1900 (buried Mar. 21) Lt 119 1st Add.

Marriage Index: Illinois, 1851-1900, FTM Archive CD# 250

Hamer, Thomas Spouse : Johnson, Maryette

Marriage date : Aug 10, 1876

County : Fulton

Gender : Male

Source : County Court Records located at Lewistown, IL

Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery.

Amrine, Wyllie (Hamer), 1857-1942. Lot 211 2nd Addition.

Burial: 1942, Vermont, Fulton County, Illinois (City Cemetery)

Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery.

Amrine, Ansel, 1855-1934, d. Sept 28, Lot 211 2nd Addition.

Burial: 1934, Vermont, Fulton County, Illinois (City Cemetery)

Hamer, Wyllie Spouse : Amerine, Ansel

Marriage date : Mar 27, 1879

County : Fulton

Gender : Male

Source : County Court Records located at Lewistown, IL

Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery.

Hamer, Col. Thomas Ray, 1864-1951, U.S. Army, Lot 119 1st Add

Hamer, Blanche (Kirkbride), Wife of Thomas Ray Hamer, 1868-1961. Lot 119 1st Addition.

"Hamer and other Nearby Communities" by Wm. Stibal Petite, an article in the local paper from Hamer, Idaho. The community of Hamer was named in honor of Col. Thomas R. Hamer in 1909. Col. Hamer, a Spanish American War veteran, was serving as a United States Representative from this area and was closely associated with Dubois and Patrie in the Silver-Republican movement, as well as in Masonic work. Prior to his election to Congress he served as an associate justice of the Philippine Supreme Court for a brief term. A native of Vermont, Illinois, he moved to St. Anthony to practice law and later operated banks at Roberts, St. Anthony and Boise. After the Dubois movement wanned he moved to Oregon where he served as an attorney. Hamer was knowns as an authority on homestead and land laws and served a term as Federal Land Administrator for Idaho, with an office at Blackfoot. He died in 1951 at Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 87. At his request his ashes were taken to his birthplace for burial.

HAMER, Thomas Ray, 1864-1950 (Biographical Dictionary of Congress)

HAMER, Thomas Ray, (nephew of Thomas Lyon Hamer), a Representative from Idaho; born in Vermont, Fulton County, Ill., May 4, 1864; attended the public schools, Hedding College, and Bloomington Law School; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in St. Anthony, Idaho, in 1893; engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fremont County, Idaho; member of the State house of representatives in 1896; enlisted in April 1898 as a private in the First Regiment, Idaho Volunteer Infantry and served as captain and lieutenant colonel in the Philippines; Military Governor of the island of Cebu; associate justice of the supreme court of the Philippine Islands; returned to St. Anthony, Idaho in 1901; delegate to the Republican State conventions in 1908 and 1912; elected as a Republican to the Sixty-first Congress (March 4, 1909-March 3, 1911); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1910; resumed the practice of law in St. Anthony, Idaho; engaged in banking at St. Anthony and Boise, Idaho, 1912-1921; served as major and lieutenant colonel, Judge Advocate General’s Department, during the First World War; reengaged in the practice of law at Portland, Oreg., until 1943, when he retired and moved to Los Angeles, Calif.; died in Phoenix, Ariz., December 22, 1950; interment in Greenwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles. (Ashes to Vermont, Illinois.)

Moved to St Anthony, Fremont County, Idaho in 1893.

Moved to Portland, Oregon in 1921.

Moved to Los Angeles upon retirement.

Family history states he and wife were buried in Greenwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles. [The history notes state they are buried in Los Angeles, but there are gravestones in Vermont, Fulton County, Illinois. Lot 119, where their ashes were interred.]

Military record: Spanish American War, Idaho Volunteer Infantry, Pvt then Col.

Wounded at Battle of Caloocan in Philippines in 1899.

Military governor and associate Justice of Philippines.

State representative of Idaho, 1896.

US representative of Idaho, 1908.

Banking business 1911.

Lawyer 1921-1943 in Portland, Oregon.

Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography of the Nineteenth Century.

Addenda page xlvi

HAMER, THOMAS R., soldier, lawyer, legislator, was born May 4, 1864, in Vermont, Ill. He was elected to the state legislature of Idaho from Fremont county. During the Spanish-American war he raised a company of infantry, and was commissioned captain. While serving in the Philippine Islands he was appointed provost judge in Manila. He was wounded at the battle of Coloocan; was commissioned lieutenant-colonel; and is now military governor of the island of Cebu.

U.S. Army Historical Register, 1789-1903, Vol. 2

Alphabetical List of Officers of the Regular Army (From Its Organization, September 29, 1789, to 1903) Who Were Killed or Wounded in Action or Taken Prisoner, With Date and Place.

page 218

Hamer, Thomas R., lt col 1 Idaho inf; lt col 37 U S inf.

Idaho State Historical Society

Thomas Ray Hamer, born in Vermont, Fulton County, Illinois, May 4, 1864; attended the public schools, Hedding College, and Bloomington Law School; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in St. Anthony, Idaho; engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fremont County, Idaho; member of the State house of representatives in 1896; enlisted in April 1898 as a private in the First Regiment, Idaho volunteer Infantry, during the war with Spain; served as captain and lieutenant colonel in that regiment and was wounded at the Battle of Caloocan, Philippine Islands, February 11, 1899; Military Governor of the island of Cebu; associate justice of the supreme court of the Philippine Islands; mustered out at San Francisco, California, as lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, United States volunteer Infantry, on May 27, 1901, when he returned to St. Anthony, Idaho; delegate to the Republican State conventions in 1908 and 1912; elected as a Republican to the Sixty-first Congress (March 4, 1909-March 3, 1911); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1910; resumed the practice of law in St. Anthony, Idaho; engaged in banking at St. Anthony and Boise, Idaho, 1912-1921; served as major and lieutenant colonel, Judge Advocate General's Department, during the First World War; reengaged in the practice of law at Portland, Oregon, until 1943, when he retired and moved to Los Angeles, California; died in a rest home at Phoenix, Arizona, December 32, 1950; interment in Greenwood Memorial Park. (Ashes moved to Vermont, Illinois.)

1880 Census of Fulton County Illinois -- Vermont Town - 057-017, p 416 - 172-177

Hamer, Thomas w m 62 head mar Retired Dry Goods Merchant PA PA PA

Mariett w f 45 wife mar Keeping House NY NY NY

Le Ray w m 16 son sing Attending school IL PA NY (Most likely this is Thomas Ray, Jr)

1910 Census of Fremont County Idaho - St Anthony City, p269

Hamer, Thomas R. Head m w 45 m1 18 2 2 IL PA NY Lawyer & Congressman

Blanche K. Wife f w 38 m1 18 2 2 IL WV NY

Elizabeth M. Dau f w 17 s 0 0 0 IL IL IL

Consuela B. Dau f w 6 s 0 0 0 IL IL IL

Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery. Hamer, Blanche (Kirkbride), Wife of Thomas Ray Hamer, 1868-1961. Lot 119 1st Addition.

Hamer, Ray Spouse : Kirkbride, Blanche

Marriage date : Jul 9, 1891

County : Fulton

Gender : Male

Source : County Court Records located at Lewistown, IL

Cemetery Inscriptions of Fulton County, Illinois, Vol. 6, Vermont Twp. Washington, Ill., 1981. Vermont Cemetery.

"In memory of Thomas Hamer Amrine, Wife Ella Marshall, daughter Shirley; earthquake victims Yokohama, Japan, Sept. 1, 1923; buried Tokyo, Japan."

Burial: Aft. September 21, 1923, Tokyo, Japan

Cause of Death: Earthquake victim.

Burial: Aft. September 21, 1923, Tokyo, Japan