JAMES W. HAMM.

JAMES W. HAMM, one of the enterprising young business men of Humboldt, was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1865. His father, William B. Hamm, was also a native of the Keystone State, and was a carpenter by trade, following that pursuit for many years in Pennsylvania. In 1878 he removed to Kansas, locating on a farm five miles northwest of Humboldt, in Woodson County, where he carried on

agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1887, when he was fifty-five years of age. His widow still survives him and is now living in Humboldt. She bore the maiden name of Catharine M. Servey, is a native of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and was married in 1852. By their union were born six children, one of whom died in childhood, while five are yet living, namely: Mrs. Mary Weckerly, of Yates Center, Kansas; John C., one of the leading attorneys of Evanston, Wyoming; Sadie, now Mrs. Kesterson, of Portland, Arkansas; James W. of this review and Albert, who is living with his mother.

James W. Hamm pursued his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania until fourteen years of age and only attended school for six months after coming to Kansas. He was, however, an extensive reader of newspapers, and thus in the evenings, after the day's work was done, became familiar with the events that mark the world's history. He worked upon the home farm until 1886, when, in connection with his brother, J. C. Hamm, he purchased the Allen County Courant, a Democratic paper published in Iola. They continued to issue that journal for two years, when they sold the plant to A. C. and W. W. Scott, who removed it to Oklahoma and established there the Oklahoma Journal. After disposing of his interests in that journal Mr. Hamm spent some time in travel and was for a short time a resident of Evanston, Wyoming, but in 1890 returned to Humboldt, and in that year was married. After his marriage he settled on a farm north of the city, and there still resides, giving a part of his time to agricultural pursuits in connection with other business affairs. He was for some years general agent for the Page Woven Wire Fence Company of Adrian, Michigan. In 1897 he engaged in the ice business, erecting a small plant which he operated in connection with an ice house on the bank of the river, the building having a capacity of seven hundred tons, which he fills with ice sufficient to supply a large patronage through the hot summer months. He has recently added to his manufacturing enterprises a sorghum mill and evaporator, which is operated by steam and has a capacity of two hundred gallons per day, also a hydraulic cider press, the name of the firm now being Hamm Bros.

On the 22nd of February, 1890, Mr. Hamm was united in marriage to Miss Ella Works, a daughter of the pioneer R. M. Works. Three children have been born of this union: Robert, Helen and Mildred. Mr. Hamm votes with the Democracy, but takes no active part in politics. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The business interests of Humboldt are well represented by him, and whether in public or private life he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held.

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