The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-14
HON. EDWIN p. HAMMOND
Appointed Judge of the Supreme Court--A
Sketch of His Career.

Governor Porter will to-day appoint Hon. Ed
win p. Hammond, of Rensselaer,, judge of the
Supreme Court for the unexpired term of Judge
Woods, which concludes in November of next
year. 1t has been known for several days that
the choice was between Judge Frazer and Judge
Hammond, both of whom are eminently fitted
for the place, and 1T is no disparagement to the
former to say that the appointment Of the latter
was probably the best that could have been
made. He has long been recognized one of
the best judges in the State, and the petit
lions that were sent in in his behalf
included the signatures OF nearly all the
prominent attorneys in northern Indiana.
Judge Hammond was born at BroOkville, Ind,
Nov. &c, 1885. He came TO Indianapolis in
1894, and after short time spent as clerk IN
a store, he began the study of law with his half
brother, Abraham A. Hammond, who was af-
uerward Governor of the State. In 1858 he be-
gan TO practice at Rensselaer,, and in 1861, at
the breaking out of the war, enlisted under
General Robert FL. Milroy, in Company G,
Ninth Indiana Volunteers, of which he was
elected first lieutenant. AT the expiration of
his term OF service he resumed the practice of
law at Rensselaer,, and was shortly afterward
elected to represent the counties OF Newton,
Jasper and Pulaski in the Legislature, without
opposition. In August, 1862, he organized
Company A, Eighty Indiana, and was
commissioned captain. He was promoted to ma
jor in March, 1868 and to lieutenant colonel
In the subsequent November. He commanded his
regiment during the last year of the war, and
showed great skill and bravery in the one hun
dred days incessant fighting from "Chattan ooga
down to the sea-" At the close of the the Pres
ident, on the recommendation of Colonel Ham
mond's brigade, division and corps command
ers, appointed him colonel by brevet "for gal
liant and meri5Orious service during the war" as
reclted in his commission. Upon his return
home he at once b1Ilt up large and lucrative
practice, and had a fine reputation as an attOr-
ney. In March, 1873, Governor Hendricks ap-
pointed him judge of the Thirteenth judicial cir
QUIT although he was a Republican in politics
his appointment being recommended by every
attorney in the district except one, who was
himself a candidate. He was twice reelected
to this position without opposition, all
the political parties uniting in his support. The
following tribute from the editor of the Rens-
selaer Union, based on personal acquaintance,
will be of interest: Judge Hammond has fire.
quently been called by brother judges to preside
over their courts in the counties of White, Cass,
Miami, Wabash, Carroll and Tippecanoe.
Through this large district, which these counties
ana those of his own court constitute, he is uni
versally regarded as an upright man and just
judge. AS a jurist he has few superiors in the
State AT home he is held in the highest esteem
everybody regarding him a model of perfect
gentleman. He is close and careful student,
an eminently cautious and practical man, a kind
nelghbor, pleasant companion, a steadfast
friend. transformations, unassuming unaffected,
modest, retiring, punctiliOusly polite, with many
virtues and no glaring vices, there are few more
agreeable or better men in the community"