Harry Hammond, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Augusta township, was born in Hancock county, Illinois, in 1869, and belongs to a Butler county pioneer family. He is a son of Isaac and Rebecca (Isenberger) Hammond, the former a native of England, and the latter of Ohio. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, as follows: Mrs. Jenny Valentine, Greeley, Colo.; Harry, the subject of this sketch; Sydney, Augusta township; Isaac, Augusta township; and Ray, Towanda township.

Isaac Hammond came to Butler county from Illinois in 1870 and preempted 160 acres of land in Towanda township, five miles north of Augusta. This was an early day in the settlement of this part of the State, and while Towanda township had some permanent settlers at that time they were few and far between. The Hammond family lived in a tent for the first few months on their claim, but built a small frame house before winter came on, hauling the lumber from Emporia. They gradually improved their claim and soon had a fairly well appointed farm for those early times. The father set out an orchard at an early day, and they soon had plenty of fruit, which was a rare luxury in those days. Isaac Hammond was industrious and thrifty, and became one of the successful and prosperous farmers and stockmen of Butler county. He bought more land from time to time in Towanda and Augusta townships, and at the time of his death, in September, 1909, he owned 1,080 acres of valuable land. He was a very extensive feeder and shipper of stock during his active career, and that branch of his business, perhaps, was the most profitable to him. His widow now resides in Augusta, and is in her seventy-first year.

Harry Hammond, whose name introduces this sketch, was only

nine months old, when his parents settled on the unbroken prairie of Butler county. He was reared on his father's farm, and, after receiving a good common school education, he continued farming. He now owns 200 acres of rich, productive land in Augusta township, and is one of the leading farmers of that section. He follows general farming and stock raising, and is quite extensively interested in raising Poland China hogs, and is also a chicken fancier, making a specialty of barred Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds.

Mr. Hammond was united in marriage, in 1890, to Miss Cora E. Viets, a daughter of J. F. and Lucy A. (Pitkin) Viets, natives of Illinois, who settled in Towanda township, Butler county, in 1888, and the parents now reside at Augusta. Mrs. Hammond was a Butler county teacher, prior to her marriage. To J. F. and Lucy A. (Pitkin) Viets were born the following children: Cora, Mrs. Harry Hammond, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Nellie M. McClure, Augusta; Byron, Augusta; Mrs. Lulu Wilson, El Dorado; Mrs. Zulu Price, Wichita; Frank, lives in Colorado; Mrs. Milla Pratt of Leavenworth, Kans., and Flavel, Augusta. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond have three children, Myrl, resides at home; John Isaac, a senior in Kansas University, and Mildred, at home. Mr. Hammond is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he and Mrs. Hammond are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and well known and prominent in the community.

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