John Hamner, one of the oldest living settlers of Johnson County, is a native of Mercer County, Ky., and the third of a family of seven children, born to John and Mary (Neubary) Hamner. His parents were both born in Virginia. John and Mary Hamner moved to Kentucky a short time after their marriage, and from the latter state in 1823, came to Johnson County, Ind., and settled near the present site of Edinburg. Here they lived upon a farm until their deaths, which occurred at the advanced ages of eighty and seventy, respectively. John Hamner, Sr., was a soldier in the War of Independence, during which struggle he participated in a number of battles, among which was the last engagement in which the American Army under General Washington took place. The subject of this biography was born Feburary 5, 1810, and was thirteen years of age when his parents moved to Johnson County. He was reared a farmer, and for a period of sixty-five years has been a resident of this county, during which time he has occupied an honorable place in the community, and commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him. His life-work has been that of a farmer, and at this time he owns 200 acres of valuable land, in the County of Edinburg, and lives upon the place where his father settled in 1823. Mr. Hamner has been twice married, the first time in 1832 to Miss Nancy Lash, daughter of Joseph and Mary Lash, by whom he had six children, only two of whom are living, to-wit: Samuel and Maria (Miss Durbin). Mrs. Hamner died June 20, 1849, and two years later Mr. Hamner was united in marriage to Mrs. Mitchell, who died on the 8th day of September, 1885. No children were born to his last marriage, but by a previous union with Mr. Mitchell, Mrs. Hamner had two children, one of whom is now living. Mr. Hamner is a representative democrat of the old school, having always been an earnest supporter of the principles of that party. He is now living a quiet and retired life, which only those who have battled successfully with the world for over three quarters of a century, know how to appreciate.