HAMER
FAMILY REUNIONS - LAWRENCE COUNTY, INDIANA
Spring
Mill State Park
Since
the 1930's the descendants of Thomas Hamer Jr. and his sons: Hugh, Thomas
L.,
James, and Joseph; and daughter, Nancy Hamer Jennings Crowfoot, have met in
formal
reunions at Spring Mill Park in Lawrence County, Indiana. Before that
time
there were many informal family gatherings.
Accounts
of previous family reunions:
2007
HAMER REUNION
The
decedents of the four Hamer men that came to Indiana met on June 2 at Spring
Mill
Park, Mitchell, Indiana.
Due to
high gas prices and hot weather, the group was one of the smallest that
has
attended in years.
Financial
Report:
Starting
Balance for 2007 $316.00
Expenses:
Food,
Ice and Charcoal......... 19.53
‘08
Shelter House Rental...... 50.00
Balance
for 2008 $246.47
Officers
elected for 2008:
President
– Glenn Hamer
Secretary
- Eric Hamer
Treasurer
- Norma Ritter
News:
Datha
J. Walters reported the death of her mother, Dona Rose Evans Morrow, died March
25, 2007
Bob
Farley reported the birth of his first GGC, London Arabella Sturgeon born
October
17, 2006
Next
year’s reunion will be June 7, 2008 at the Sycamore Shelter House (at the
end of
the parking lot).
Those
attending this year were:
Norma
Ritter – Bedford, IN
Joyce
Tolliver Wilson - Mitchell, IN
Eric,
Bev, Corey, Brady, Chase, & Luke Hamer - Mitchell, IN
George
& Jane Wilcox, Mitchell, IN
Neal
& Melanie Wayman - Washington, IN
Glenn
& Linda Hamer - Mitchell, IN
2006
HAMER REUNION – June 3, 2006
The
Hamer Family clan met in the Sycamore Shelter House at Spring Mill State
Park on
June 3 at noon. With a cool breeze blowing through the shelter house
some 25
related kinfolks gathered around the tables to eat grilled hamburgers,
hot
dogs and a variety of covered dishes.
Officers
for 2007 were elected:
Glenn
Hamer, President
Eric
Hamer, Secretary
Norma
Ritter, Treasurer
Financial
Report for 2006:
Starting
Balance ........... $460.00
Expenses:
Stamps,
cards & labels ..... $38.00
Food
................................. 56.00
Shelter
.............................. 50.00
Total
.............................. $144.00
Balance
to start 2007 ...... $316.00
No
deaths were reported for the year.
Two
births were announced:
Luke
Jared Hamer born to Eric & Bev Hamer on March 31, 2006.
He is
Glenn & Linda Hamer’s grandson.
Haeven
Lorelai born to Brig & Jamie Del Fierro on April 12, 2006.
She is
Norma Ritter’s great granddaughter.
Information
was shared about two buildings in Lawrence County.
The old
drug store building on the corner of Main and Ninth Street in downtown
Mitchell
that was razed was the building that the town fathers met in the upper
rooms
to discuss important events. Hugh and Thomas Hamer were some of those town
fathers
that met there from time to time.
The
Lawrence County Museum moved to a new building on the town square of
Bedford.
When the buildings face was removed to the original facing the name
"Hamer
Smith" was revealed at the top. This building was a funeral home ran by
Frank
Hamer and a Smith.
Those
attending were:
Mike
and Charlene Thomas of Washington, Indiana.
Sarah
Thomas, Ryliegh Dillon and Kim Smith of Washington, Indiana.
Norma
Ritter of Bedford, Indiana.
George
and Jane Wilcox of Mitchell, Indiana.
Howard
and June Smith of Campbellsburg, Indiana
Joe and
LaDonna (Cook) King of Vallejo, California.
Ken and
Edna Cook of New Harmony, Utah.
Melanie
Wayman of Washington, Indiana.
Tom
Matteson and Tammy Coan of Petersburg, Indiana.
Eric,
Bev, Corey, Brandy, Chase and Luke Hamer of Mitchell, Indiana.
Glenn
and Linda Hamer of Mitchell, Indiana.
Next
Years Reunion will be held on June 2, 2007 at the Sycamore Shelter House.
THE
2005 HAMER FAMILY REUNION
The
Hamer Family Reunion was held at Spring Mill State Park on June 25, 2005
with 25
people attending. Everyone enjoyed sharing and getting to know one
another.
We shared in a meal and many walked through the village.
The
Elected Officers for 2006 are:
Glenn
Hamer- President
Eric
Hamer- Secretary
Norma
Ritter- Treasurer
Financial
Report for 2005
Starting
Balance ------- Total $ 548.00
Expenses:
Stamps - $ 23.00
Food -
$ 51.00
Shelter
Rental - $ 50.00 (for 2006)
Total
Expenses --------- Total $ 124.00
Balance
$ 424.00
Donations
for 2005 -------------- $ 36.00
Ending
Balance --------- Total $ 460.00
We did
not have a white elephant sale this and we won’t have one next year,
because
our finances are in great shape. Next Years Reunion will be held on June
3, 2006
at the Sycamore Shelter House. This shelter house is located at the end
of the
parking lot and has a rest room in it. Have a good year and see you all
next
summer.
Those
attending the 2005 Hamer Reunion were:
John
& Linda Sears, Centennial, CO - Thomas L. Hamer
Molly
Sears, Centennial, CO - Thomas L. Hamer
Paul
& son Andrew Sears, Raleigh, NC - Thomas L. Hamer
Cheryl
& Staci Talley, Arlington, TX - Thomas L. Hamer
John
Matt, Cassie, & Braden Sears, Gerogetown, TX - Thomas L. Hamer
Joan
& Samantha McLainln, Cedar Hill, TX - Thomas L. Hamer
Josh
Sears, Littleton, CO - Thomas L. Hamer
Otto
& Loetta Hamer, Murray, KY - Joseph Hamer
Richard
& Datha Walters, Carmel, IN - Joseph Hamer
Eric,
Bev & sons, Corey, Brandy, & Chase Hamer, Mitchell, IN - Joseph Hamer
Norma
Ritter, Bedford, IN - Hugh Hamer
Glenn
& Linda Hamer, Mitchell, IN - Joseph Hamer
HAMER
FAMILY REUNION JUNE 2004
Those
who passed away (deaths):
Harold
Cook - February 2003
Hobart
Darold Cook - March 21, 2003
Those
who came into this world (births):
Ryleigh
Eileen Dillon- Born to Sarah Thomas and Dennis Dillon on July 31 2003
Grant
Logan Padgett - Born to Samuel and Melissa Wayman Padgett April 16, 2002
The
elected officers stayed the same with:
Glenn
Hamer - President
Eric
Hamer - Secretary
Norma
Ritter - Treasurer
The
Cook Family from California and Wyoming joined us this year for the reunion
to help
make it one of the best attended reunions in several years. We had a
very
good time visiting with relatives we hadn't seen before.
We held
a White Elephant auction which was a lot of enjoyment.
We hope
to see everyone there next year. Next year’s reunion will be held on
June
25, 2005 at the Donaldson Shelter House.
Financial
Report 2004 showed a balance 85.00 .
Expenses
for 2004:
Stamps
& Labels....................... 32.00
Food
& Supplies for Reunion........55.00
Total
Expenses.......................... 87.00 (2.00) in the red
Auction
and donations:
New
Balance............................600.00
Money
in red............................. - 2.00
Rental
of Shelter for 2005 ......... - 50.00
Balance.................................$
548.00
THE
SIGN IN SHEET FOR THE 2004 HAMER REUNION........
Edith
S. Cook - Nashville, TN
Don and
Sandra Wilson - Indianapolis, IN
Erik
and Jill Scott and Family - Alexandria, IN
Dino
(Harry) S. Passehl - Louisville, KY
Walter
Elliott and Lynda Cook and Family - Buford, WY
Kenneth
E. Cook, Sr. - Arroyo Grande, CA
Norma
Ritter - Bedford, IN
Helen
M. Cook - New Palestine, IN
Cheryl
L. Wheeler - New Palestine, IN
Bill
and Linda K. Willis - Columbus, OH
Melanie
Wayman - Washington, IN
Opal A.
Burton - Owingsville, KY
Mary
Oakley - Paoli, IN
George
and Jane Wilcox - Mitchell, IN
Karen
Rodrigues - Pismo Beach, CA
Angela
Stratton - Midway Park, NC
LaDonna
King and Children - Vallejo, CA
Jo
Ellen and Lee Marks - Cumberland, IN
Mike
and Charlene Thomas and Family - Washington, IN
Josh
and Tracy Thomas - Washington, IN
Glenn
and Linda Hamer - Mitchell, IN
HAMER
FAMILY REUNION JUNE 28, 2003
Those
who have passed away:
Carol
Sue Miller - February 14, 2003
Pearl
Edmonson Knight - May 1, 2003
Births:
Matteson
Eileen Padgett "Ellie" born June 28, 2003, to Samuel L. and Melissa
Wayman)
Padgett of Plainville (Davies Co.) IN.
Officers
for 2004 are:
Glenn
Hamer - President
Eric
Hamer - Secretary
Norma
Ritter - Treasurer
Next
years reunion will be held on the last Saturday of June June 2004) under
the
trees by Sycamore Shelter House.
Those
that attended the 2003 reunion were:
Norma
Ritter - Bedford, IN
Mike,
Charlene, Sarah Thomas and guest Dennis Dillon - Washington, IN
Eric,
Bev, Corey, Brady, Chase Hamer and Kelsie Sampson - Mitchell, IN
Otto
and Loetta Hamer - Murray, KY
David
and Carol Padgett - Carmel, I
Keith
Padgett - West Chester, PA
Glenn
and Linda Hamer - Mitchell, IN
George
and Jane Wilcox - Mitchell, IN
HAMER
REUNION 2002 - August 3, 2002
Spring
Mill State Park, Indiana
Under
the hot summer sun in high humidity a small number of the Hamer clan met
for the
annual reunion. Those attending were: David and Carol Padgett of Carmel,
Indiana;
George and Jane Wilcox of Mitchell, Indiana; Norma Ritter of Bedford,
Indiana;
Sarah Ritter of Mitchell, Indiana; Ted and Charlene Yulich and
granddaughter
Jennifer of Kansas City, Kansas; Glenn and Linda Hamer of
Mitchell,
Indiana. Guests with the Yulich's were Ron and Connie Watkins of
Plainfield,
Indiana. A short meeting followed the meal. Elected as officers for
this
coming year were: Glenn Hamer - president; Norma Ritter - treasurer. A
discussion
was held about what to do for next year's reunion. It was decided to
hold
the reunion on June 28th under the trees near the creek and the Sycamore
Shelter
House by the big parking lot. Bring your own lawn chairs if you wish.
Next
year will be a cookout. Hamburgers and hot dogs fixed on the grill. These
meats
will be furnished. If you want something else please bring it. Please
bring
covered dishes, desserts, and your own drinks. We will hold a white
elephant
sale to replenish our treasury. The white elephant gifts will be
auctioned
off then used as prizes in a bingo game. Winner of each game may trade
their
gift with anyone else's. There will also be games for the children. In
order
to plan better we will need RSVP's from those planing to attend the 2003
reunion.
Those
who have gone from our presence are: Maxine Chapman - August 9, 2001; Lois
Winniger
- September 27, 2001.
After
the meeting we adjourned in order to participate in the many activities
the
park had going during their Harvest Days including the saw mill in
operation.
Hamer
Reunion 2001 - June 9, 2001
Spring
Mill State Park, Indiana
It was
a beautiful summer day as sixteen descendants of Hugh and Joseph Hamer
gathered
at the Donaldson Shelter House to share in fried chicken, ham, and
several
covered dishes. No descendants from James or Thomas were present this
year.
Several descendants had written, e- mailed or called to give regrets about
not
being able to attend this year.
New
descendants (births) were announced:
1.
Brock Matteson, September 28, 2000, born to Bill Gene & Melinda Rose
Matteson.
The
grandson of Tom Matteson and Cynthia Cassell.
2. Leah
Christine Padgett, July 20, 1999 and Blake
Andrew
Padgett, October 28, 2000, born to Samuel Leon Padgett and
Melissa
Wayman.
Grandchildren
of Neal Wayman and Melanie Matteson.
Both
are:
The
great grandchildren of Eugene Matteson and Eileen Best.
The
great, great grandchildren of Hobert Best and Daisy Cook.
The
great, great, great, grandchildren of Thomas Alvin Cook and Anna
Laura
Hamer.
The
great, great, great, great grandchildren of George Washington Hamer
(Little
George) and Sarah Jane Denny.
The
great, great, great, great, great, grandchildren of Joseph Hamer and
Evaline
Wood.
3.
Michael James Tucker, November 21, 2000, born to James Tucker and
Katherine
Adel Meyer. Grandson of Lynn Meyer and Mary Annette
McMullen.
The
great grandson of William McMullen and Mary Catherine Evans.
The
great, great grandson of Albert Evans and Ethel Robinson.
The
great, great, great grandson of Elijah Evans and Angeline Hamer.
The
great, great, great, great grandson of Thomas L. Hamer and Hannah
Fitzpatrick.
Descendants
who have entered eternal life were remembered:
1.
Becky Meinberg, April 1, 1998.
2.
Priscilla Hinshaw Knight, July 31, 2000.
3. John
McDonald, October 28, 2000.
Discussion
was held concerning how often (yearly or every other year) we should
hold
our reunions since the numbers have been down the last several years. It
was
decided to hold them every year but move the date to the later part of the
summer
to see if we could get more people. Next years date is August 3, 2002 at
Sycamore
Shelter House at the end of the parking lot by the lake.
Officers
for the new year were elected:
President
- Glenn Hamer
Vice
President - George Wilcox
Secretary
- Charlene Thomas
Treasurer
- Norma Ritter
Charlene
Thomas read some poems that she had written. The hat was passed for
donations
and food items were sold for a total of $27.00
Descendants
attending from the Hugh Hamer line were: George and Jane Wilcox
Descendants
from the Joseph Hamer line were:
Glenn
& Linda Hamer
Tim
Nicholson
Clyde
Nicholson
Floyd
Nicholson
Mike
& Charlene Thomas
Melanie
Wayman and Leah Padgett
Eric,
Bev, Corey, Brady and Chase Hamer
One
guest - Sharon Jones
The
meeting broke up about 2:00 p.m.
Hamer
Reunion 2000 - June 24, 2000
Spring
Mill State Park, Indiana
It was
a rainy morning, but the rain stopped as the descendants of Hugh,
Thomas,
James, and Joseph gathered in the Oak Ridge Shelter House of
Spring
Mill State Park, Indiana.
Some 35
people came together to share in a meal and stories. Fourteen
families
were represented. The furthest anyone came was from Kansas
City,
Kansas. Everyone shared a little about themselves, and which of
the
four brothers they were descended from.
From
the Hugh Hamer line: George and Jane Wilcox; Norma Ritter.
From
the Thomas L. Hamer line: David Padgett.
From
the James Hamer line: Ted and Charlene Yulich.
From
the Joseph Hamer line: Tom and Cynthia Matteson; Tim and Melanie
Wayman;
Mike and Charlene Thomas; Josh and Vikie Thomas; Sarah Thomas; Bill and
Mary
Ann Mann; Bill and Wanita Goller (Wanita is also related to Thomas Hamer,
Sr.);
Eric and Beverly Hamer; Otto and Loetta Hamer; Glenn and Linda Hamer.
Elections
were held. President: Glenn Hamer; Vice President: Bill Goller;
Secretary:
Eric Hamer; Treasurer: Norma Ritter.
Old
pictures and information was passed around and shared. An auction
of
white elephant items were sold to help raise money for the next
year.
New acquaintances were made and old ones renewed. Group photos
were
taken.
The
meeting broke up around 3:00 pm so folks could tour the village and
cemetery.
Dulcimers were being played in the village tavern. As people
departed
for their trips home all agreed to bring others next year.
The
Hamer Reunion for next year will be held on June 9, 2001
12:00
noon Donaldson Shelter House Spring Mill State Park
Hamer
Cemetery Reunion 1999 - July 16, 1999
Descendants
of mill owners return to park
By
ROGER MOON,
Times-Mail
News Editor
MITCHELL
-- They come from cities around the counttry to get together once a year
for a
family reunion. Such gatherings are about food, fellowship, reminiscing
and
learning babies' names. But, for descendants of Hugh Hamer, gathered this
weekend
at Spring Mill State Park, the annual reunion has been about something
else -
work. But that four-letter word isn't scaring away the estimated 50
people
this year's reunion attracted. The Hamer family is building a shelter at
Hamer
Cemetery inside the park. "It's been as much fun as everything we do
together,"
said Georgia Lucas of Atlanta, Ga. "We're a very close family." In
the way
of a quick history lesson, Hugh Hamer and his brother Thomas, back
around
1832, had become the owners of the village and grist mill at Spring Mill.
Hugh
set aside a tract of land to be used for the burial of those people who
lived
and died in the area. These days, the cemetery is only for the descendants
of
those who were buried there in those earlier times. Those descendants include
Lucas,
as well as her siblings: John "Butch" Hamer of St. Louis, Doris Hamer
of
Tucson,
Ariz., Jackie Childers of Bedford and Helen Lahrman of Brownstown. Hugh
Hamer
was their great great grandfather. All of them, along with their children
and
grandchildren are spending the weekend at Spring Mill, putting the finishing
touches
on the cemetery's new shelter and looking toward a Sunday dedication
ceremony
at the cemetery where many of the family say they, too, will one day be
buried.
The group used to gather at the home of their parents, John Sr. and
Lottie,
near Brownstown. But their father died and their mother's health
declined,
so they began gathering in Kentucky. This year, however, the reunion
returned
to Indiana. Childers said, "I thought for the last reunion of the
century,
we should go back to our roots and let our children and grandchildren
know
where we originated." Then, too, there was the other reason to bring the
family
to Spring Mill - the shelter. John estimated that 500 to 600 hours have
gone into
the work, and there were occasions when as many as a dozen family
members
were working on it at once. No electricity is available at the cemetery,
so
they've been doing much of the work with hand tools. When John Hamer Sr.
died,
his children established a memorial fund. They hadn't decided on a use for
the
money, but they knew their father and their uncle, Frank Hamer, had been
very
interested in the cemetery and its maintenance. Then Priscilla Knight of
Mitchell,
a sister to John Sr. and Frank, came up with the idea of building a
shelter
at the cemetery. John Jr. said, "It was really her idea to have a spot,
that
whenever she went out there to visit, to have a cool spot to sit down and
rest
and contemplate things." Priscilla's nieces and nephews, including Frank's
daughter,
bought into the idea, and John Jr., who works as an engineer, used his
computer
to design the structure. Spring Mill property manager Mark Young said
the
family requested permission from the Division of State Parks and Reservoir
Management
to build the shelter. The approval was granted with the stipulation
that
the Hamer family provide all the materials and do all the construction
themselves.
Young said the state is responsible for general maintenance at the
cemetery.
The responsibility was transferred from the Hamer Cemetery Association
to the
state in 1933. He said the association had lost some cemetery records in
a fire.
"The cemetery is still active," Young said, "but you have to be
a direct
descendant
of the Hamers or one of the other families (already there) to be
buried
there." The park, in 1987-88, did an inventory of burials at the
cemetery,
using any still-legible information that was on headstones. A complete
inventory
is difficult to achieve. "We suspect there were burial sites where
people
just used wood for the headstones," Young said. "We suspect the
cemetery
may be
fuller than what it looks like." The park has applied for grant money
that
would allow the use of new technology to assist with a survey of burial
sites.
The procedure is non-invasive, according to Young, who said the
technologies
will utilize shock waves to determine whether the soil had ever
been
disturbed in certain areas. "We're fairly confident we're going to be
getting
the funds," Young said.
Hamer
Reunion 1997 - July 1, 1997
Reunion
main story By Mary G. Johnson
Times-Mail
Staff Writer
Bedford,
Indiana
It's a
time for remembering and making new memories, a time to look at old
pictures
and take new pictures, a time to celebrate the living and memorialize
the
dead, a time to gather together by birthright. A family reunion can be
joyous
and happy, sad and lonely all at the same time. Blood ties can span miles
and
years, bringing together people who share both genetic and remembered
heritage.
While an empty chair can be haunting when the reunion comes following
a death
in a family, death can actually bring a family closer together ...
Hamer
Family
While
the Quinn reunion was under way, the Hamer family was holding a reunion in
Spring
Mill's Donaldson Shelter House. Priscilla Hamer Knight, 89, one of the
oldest
members of the Hamer clan, wasn't feeling well enough to make it. She is
the
great-granddaughter of Hugh Hamer, who operated the mill at Spring Mill
until
his death in 1872. When she goes to the reunion and looks around
remembering
those who used to be there and have died, she thinks, "Gee, of this
generation,
I'm it." At the other end of the age spectrum, Corey Hamer spent
time at
the family reunion blowing bubbles. Corey will be 2 in August. Priscilla
knows
the family history. Corey doesn't even fully understand what a family is,
let
alone a family reunion. By the time he is interested in learning about his
ancestors
and getting acquainted with his kin, Priscilla will have joined the
other
Hamers in the Hamer family cemetery at the park. It will be up to the rest
of the
clan to share the family stories with him. "I guess the older we get the
more we
cherish our heritage." said George Wilcox, 72, R.2, Mitchell,
great-great-grandson
of Hugh Hamer, who remembers coming to Hamer reunions when
he was
a boy. In those days Wilcox and the other younger Hamers would explore
the
park after dinner instead of listening to the old stories. And that hasn't
changed.
Following dinner at the 1997 Hamer reunion, younger family members went
off to
explore Donaldson Cave. The older ones sat and talked, looked over a long
chart
showing all the different branches of the family, held a business meeting
to
elect officers, then a white elephant sale to raise money for the next
reunion
and a memorial service. The Rev. Glenn Hamer, 47, Mitchell, said the
family
descends from four brothers, Hugh and Thomas who ran the mill at Spring
Mill
and Joseph and James who ran the mill that once stood at Avoca. He is a
descendant
of Joseph. The family is widely scattered. Reunions began in the
1930s,
but were discontinued during World War II. They resumed in the early
1980s
and for a while Hamers were traveling great distances to come to the
reunions.
Not now. Now those who attend are from this area for the most part.
There
are 139 on the list of relatives, but only about 25 attended the reunion
this
year. The Hamers have tried to attract more family members to the reunion.
"We
had them dress in old fashioned clothes," said Glenn. "We had some
come and
play
the older instruments, the dulcimers, bagpipes. We tried to organize games
and
activities that kids might like, badminton, horseshoes. We've tried
everything.
"We understand people from great distances can't take their vacation
every
year to come back for the reunion. Our hope is every other year or every
third
year. It's the young folks we can't pull in no matter what we plan ...
They
don't seem as interested in their roots," said Glenn. David Padgett, 51,
Carmel,
a descendant of Thomas L. Hamer, said "Everybody goes off in their
different
direction. You graduate from college. You don't bring it back home.
You go
off and do what's best for your new family." Padgett comes to be in
Spring
Mill and to be with his family. "That's the drawing card for me: my
heritage
with Spring Mill and the family meetings that we have and talk about
yesteryear.
It's still a thrill to walk through the park and just kind of get a
feel, a
sense of what it was like to live here 100 years ago." But some young
people
catch fire for family history and heritage early on. Glenn's son, Eric
Hamer,
23, Mitchell, who is Corey's father, used to visit the Hamer Cemetery in
the
park regularly starting when he was 16. It was a place where he could talk
out his
troubles to the tombstones of his relatives. He kept doing it until he
met his
wife and got married. "My friends always thought it was odd. I never
thought
anything of it. Neither did my father. He realized that was the only
place I
had I felt like we had roots." These ties with the past and present
"give
me the feeling that our family actually has some history. We aren't just
out
here alone. We have a history and a past behind us and our relatives have
done
great things and in the future hopefully will do other things," said Eric.
He
hopes to be buried in the Hamer Cemetery one day if there are plots
available.
"Maybe some years down the road some kid will sit at my tombstone,"
he
said.
Hamer
Family Reunion 1996 - June 29, 1996
Excerpts
from Newsletter
In the
business meeting which followed the meal, Reunion President David
Padgett,
told the group that he had tentatively gotten the Donaldson Shelter for
the
June 28, 1997 Reunion. He received several replies from his Family Tree
request.
He said that the goal was to have a family tree available for everyone.
Phyllis
Riess stated that she had received letters from Clarice DeWreede's son,
from
Mary Sears, and from Delma McDonald, who had been instrumental in
organizing
the first reunion. Jane Wilcox , George Wilcox, Melanie Wayman, and
Priscilla
Knight gave ideas for activities. David Padgett and Phyllis Riess
commented
on the newsletter. Information on James Hamer and Nancy Hamer Crowfoot
was
sought. June Smith brought a collection of old photos to identify. Eric
Hamer
made a treasury report. Election of officers was had: Melanie Wayman,
pres.;
David Padgett, vice pres.; Eric Hamer, treas.; Phyllis Riess, newsletter
/
secretary. Rev. Glenn Hamer conducted a prayer service for deceased: Oren
Hamer
Wilcox, b. 3 Aug 1920, d. 24 Jan 1996, Hugh Hamer; Mary Ann Wilcox, b. 12
Nov,
1932, d. 23 Jan 1996, Hugh Hamer; Leland Burton, d. Oct 1995, Hugh Hamer;
Clifford
Burton, b. 4 Jul 1914, d. 8 Jan 1996, Joseph Hamer; Hobart Franklin
Cook, d
April 1996, Joseph Hamer. Following the meeting Otto Hamer conducted a
white
elephant auction.
Hamer
Family Reunion 1995 - June 25, 1995
Excerpts
from Newsletter
A brief
business meeting was conducted by Reunion President, David Padgett. A
family
newsletter will be sent out. Families were asked to submit their family
lines
to David Padgett with the idea of getting all these together and
distributing
copies. Next year's reunion will be held June 29, 1996, at the
Sycamore
Shelter at Spring Mill State Park. Officers for the 1996 reunion were
elected:
David Padgett, Carmel, IN, pres.; Melanie Wayman, Washington, IN, vice
pres.;
Eric Hamer, Mitchell, IN, treas.; Phyllis Riess, Galesburg, IL,
newsletter
ed/ secretary. Otto Hamer conducted a white elephant sale. Rev. Glenn
Hamer
conducted a memorial service for those who died during last year: Chester
Knight,
b. 10 Feb 1906, d. 15 Sep, 1994, Mitchell, Hugh Hamer; Charles Burton,
b. 6
Sep 1919, d. 13 Nov 1994, Joseph Hamer; Barbara Fisher, b. 20 Apr 1948, d.
2 Jan
1995, Mitchell, Hugh Hamer; Paul F. Evans, b. 29 Jul 1919, d. 5 Mar 1995,
Evansville,
Thomas L. Hamer. Attending from Indiana were: Ellis Fisher, Eric and
Bev
Hamer, Glenn and Linda Hamer, Matthew Johnson, Priscilla Knight, George and
Jane
Wilcox, and Tawnie Batchelor, all of Mitchell; Mary Catherine McMullen of
Vincennes;
Mary Oakley of Paoli; David, Carol and Chris Padgett of Carmel; Josh
and
Vickie Thomas of Washington; Michael , Charlene and Sarah Thomas of Oakland
City;
Opal Burton of French Lick; Robert and Joyce Farley of Jeffersonville.
Those
from out of state were: Otto and Loetta Hamer of Murray, KY; Keith and
Becky
Padgett of Westchester, PA; and Phyllis Riess of Galesburg, IL.
Hamer
Family Reunion 1985 - August 10, 1985
Excerpts
from Minutes
Rev.
Glenn A. Hamer gave the noon blessing over a bounteous pitch-in dinner.
Thomas
Hamer made the motion that the meeting be held at the Butternut
Shelterhouse
in Spring Mill State Park next year. It was voted to retain the
reunion
every year on the second Saturday of August. It will be August 9, 1986,
at
noon... Glenn announced a few things that he had available... Jane Wilcox was
elected
president and yours truly (Eileen Matteson) is still your secretary and
correspondent
... An auction was called by Otto Hamer, assisted by Linda Hamer
and
Melanie Wayman.. Bertha Burton celebrated her 91st birthday and was the
oldest
to receive a gift. Clarice DeWreede came the farthest from San Jose,
California.
The youngest was Lisa Hamer, five months, from Florida. Robert
Farley
had some interesting material on how to tell how you are related by a
cousin
chart. Dawn Smith had a beautiful family tree done in calligraphy. Emma
Roegge
explained that she had some more information from England background from
her
D.A.R. membership... There were 64 registered in attendance. Those attending
from
out of state were: Ray and Audra Young and Thomas and Roxanne Hamer, Ohio;
Bob and
Pat Gustafson and Ray Weaver, Illinois; Hugh Hamer and June, Dawn, and
Lee Ann
Smith, New York; Otto and Loetta Hamer, Kentucky; Clarice and John
DeWreede,
California; Thomas Hamer and Mary and children from Florida. Those
from
Indiana were: Emma Roegge, Seymour; Donna Mohler and daughters and Thelma
Mohler,
Boonville; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Farley and daughter, Jeffersonville; Mary
Ann
wilcox and Doris Owens, Indianapolis; Mr. & Mrs. John Hamer and Helen
Lahrman,
Brownstown; Mr. & Mrs. Michael Thomas and family, Oakland City; Melanie
Wayman
and family and Eileen Matteson, Washington; Bertha Burton and Sarah
Miller,
Bloomington; Paul Evans and Eloise Brown, Evansville; Pauline Taylor,
Beech
Grove; Loretta Wadsworth, Plainville; Rev. & Mrs. Glenn Hamer and son,
West
Baden Springs; Georgia Hamer Wilcox, Barbara Fisher, Matthew Johnson, Mr. &
Mrs.
George Wilcox, Mr. & Mrs. Hamer Wilcox, Mr. & Mrs. Chester Knight,
Frank V.
Hamer,
and Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Sanders, all of Mitchell.
Hamer
Reunion 1942 - Fall of 1942
Mitchell
Tribune
Hamer
Family Reunion Held at Spring Mill Park. Group Meets at Home of
Forefathers
for Dinner and Social Time; Memorial Services Held.
The
annual Hamer family reunion was held at Spring Mill Park, Sunday, with many
members
of the family and friends present. These reunions at the park are in the
nature
of a homecoming for the Hamer family, and the founders of the Lawrence
County
branch of the family lived in Spring Mill Village. A basket dinner was
served
at noonand during the afternoon, Miss Mary Hamer of Mitchell read
memorials
to Mrs. Addie Houston and Charles Evans, members of the family who
have
passed away within the year. The remainder of the afternoon was spend
informally.
In the group were: Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Mann, Mr. & Mrs. Frank V. Hamer,
Mrs.
L.C. Ralston of Orleans; Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Sears and family, J. Frank
Hamer,
Mrs. Molly Sylvester, Mrs. Myra Lucas of Bedford; Mr. & Mrs. Alfred
Andrews
of Lawrenceport; Mr. & Mrs. John Hamer and family and Miss Barbara
Havens
of Brownstown; Miss Mary Hamer of Mitchell; Mr. & Mrs. Orin Wilcox and
family,
and Mrs. Alma Hamer of Tunnelton; Mrs. John Hinshaw and daughter of New
Castle;
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Blackwell of Louisville. Plans were made to hold the
1943
reunion at the Park, the second Sunday of August.
Hamer
Reunion 1938 - September 4, 1938
Mitchell
Tribune
Mitchell,
Indiana
Meeting
for the tenth consecutive year in the historic Spring Mill Park, the
Hamer
association held the annual reunion on Sunday, September 4. The
association
is composed of descendants of the Colonel Hugh Hamer and Thomas
Hamer
families. The noon dinner was served in the lower shelter house of the
park,
which is situated in a beautiful grove of virgin timber. An impressive
memorial
for the late John R. Riley of Bedford, who has passed away since the
last
meeting, was given by Mrs. Nelson Sears. Mrs. John Padgett of Anderson gave
a brief
talk on "The Early Women of the Hamer Family". The remainder of the
program
was devoted to reminiscence and enjoyment of the park and pioneer
village.
The reunion group included: J. Frank Hamer, Mrs. Myra Lucas, Mr. & Mrs.
Nelson
Sears and family of Bedford; Miss Letty Armstrong, Mrs. Alma Hamer, Mr. &
Mrs.
Oren Wilcox and family, Mr. & Mrs. John Hamer and family, Mr. & Mrs.
Ralph
Hamer
and family of Mitchell; Mr. & Mrs. Albert Evans and family, Washington;
Mr.
& Mrs. Hubert Padgett, Mrs. John Padgett, of Anderson; Mr. & Mrs.
Robert
Hamer
and family, Cincinnati, O.; Mrs. Emma Rhoades and family of Columbus; Mr.
&
Mrs. James Hamer, Mr. & Mrs. Francis Carter, Mrs. Addie Parker, Mrs. Maude
Hamer
Wesner of Seymour; Miss Helen Hayden, George Akers of Louisville; Mr. &
Mrs.
Robert Blackwell and daughter, Mrs. Jesse Lindenberger, Miss Harriet
Lindenberger
of Louisville, Ky.; Mr. & Mrs. Frank V. Hamer and family, Prof. and
Mrs. L.
G. Ralston of Orleans; Mr. & Mrs. John Hinshaw and daughter, Atlanta,
Ga.
Mrs. Frank Hamer of this city was unable to attend because of illness. The
officers
of the association included Frank V. Hamer, Tunnelton, president; Oran
Wilcox,
Tunnelton, vice president; Mrs. Frank V. Hamer, secretary-treasurer;
Miss
Mary Hamer. Mitchell, historian.
Hamer
Reunion 1933 - September 1933
Mitchell
Tribune
Mitchell,
Indiana
The
fourth annual Hamer Cemetery Association meeting was held Sunday at Spring
Mill
State Park with approximately fifty direct descendants of the old residents
of
Spring Mill who lie in that hallowed spot, overlooking Spring Mill village,
known
as the 'Old Hamer Cemetery". A bountiful dinner was enjoyed in the shelter
of the
park after which the annual business meeting was held. Frank V. Hamer,
president
of the organization, presided. The election of officers resulted in
the
re-election of the old officers, Frank V. Hamer, president; Oren wilcox,
vice-president;
Mrs. Frank V. Hamer, secretary-treasurer. Charles A. Deturk, of
Indianapolis,
assistant general superintendent of parks of the State
Conservation
Department was an honored guest. He brought the glad tidings that
the
state would take over the Hamer cemetery to make it a beauty spot of the
park
and insure its perpetual upkeep. He had the blue prints with him to show
the
proposed improvement. The plat will be encircled with an old style post and
railing
fence with large gate and pedestrian gate and native stone posts. It is
planned
to use native shrubbery and old fashioned flowers that will insure
blooms
the entire season. Following Mr. Deturk's talk the Hamer Cemetery
Association
was dissolved, and the Hamer Family Reunion to meet annually was
organized.
The membership to be the descendants of the Hamers , as well as
others
buried in this cemetery. Rev. Joel Lee Jones made a splendid address
which
was replete with eulogies of Col. Hugh Hamer and other old time settlers.
He also
conducted an impressive memorial service, sacred to the memory of Gus A.
Hamer,
one of the most prominent members of this organization, who met such a
tragic
death several weeks ago in Vincennes. There were inpromptu talks by J.
Frank
Hamer of this city, first president and instigator of the organization,
grandson
of the late Hugh Hamer, who was born in the lower Hamer house of Spring
Mill
Village; Robert Hamer, of Cincinnati, Ohio, son of Bruce Hamer, youngest
son of
Hugh Hamer, who also recalled that he was born in the lower Hamer house;
James
M. Hamer, scion of Joseph Hamer, Seymour, and Robert Blackwell,
Louisville,
Ky., scion of Thomas Hamer. William Lynn, sexton the past four years
of the
Hamer Cemetery, grandson of the late Jimmy Lynn, who formerly owned the
Donaldson
land, and was an old time wood carder, was commended for the interest
he has
taken in keeping the cemetery in order. There were relatives present from
Bedford,
Mitchell, Rivervale, and Orange County. The out-of-town guests
included:
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hamer and their children, Carol and Chester Hamer
and the
latters' son Tom, and Miss Nancy Hamer of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. & Mrs.
James
Hamer, Mr. & Mrs. John Williams, Mrs. Maude Hamer Wesner, and Miss D.
Parker,
Seymour; Mr. & Mrs. Robert Blackwell and daughter Lucille of Louisville,
Ky.,
Miss Golda Riber of Dayton, Ohio, Charles A. Deturk of Indianapolis, and
Mr.
& Mrs. Jesse Mann of Orleans.
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July 10, 2007