Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-12-09
Henry d. Hammond.

A man we'll known over Oxford County
was Henry D. Hammond, who died at
his home in Paris Thursday, Dec. 4.
Mr.. Hammond had been i'll for some
months with what was diagnosed as lead
poisoning from water which came
through lead pipe. 1t was impossible
to check the malady, which progressed
until he was for some time practically
helpless. He realized his condition, and
had arranged his business affairs with
the end in view.
The farm a short distance southeast of
Paris Hill village which was the home OF
Mr.. Hammond had been in the Ham.
mond family for several generations. 1t
was redeemed from the wilderness by
his great-grandfsther, Benjamin Ham.
mond, Jr., who came from New Glouces-
ter to Paris. The oldest of his children
were born in a log house, but he later
built the commodious house which still
stands.
From Benjamin Hammond, Jr., the
farm passed into the hands of his son
Ezra, thence to his son, Henry Edwin,
and thence to the hands of Henry D.,
the subject of this sketch. During all
this time it has been the home of the
family, and except for four years which
Ezra Hammond spent in Andover, Mass,
TO educate his children, the family have
resided there continuously. The farm
comprises some two hundred and sixty
five acres, in good state of cultivation,
and is one of the finest pieces of farm
property in this part of the state.
Henry E. Hammond, who held many
public positions and was citizen we'll
known throughout this section, married
Alkaline NJ. Chase OF Sumner, and Henry
D. was their third child, born June 7,
1857. He attended the town schools and
Oxford Normal Institute, and for some
years was engaged In teaching, later
devoting his energies to the management
of the farm, in association with his
father during the latter's life, and later
alone.
Mr.. Hammond married in 1885 Ella L.
Dudley, daughter of j. Smith and Lydia
Stearns Dudley of Paris. She died only
few months later, and in 1887 he mar
ried her sister, <. Gertrude Dudley.
Mrs. Hammond survives him with two
children, Charles H., 10 years Of age,
and Marian D., Is. There also survive
him two sisters, Mrs. j. A. Kimball of
Boston and Mrs. F. T. Shorey of Port
land. Another sister, Alice K, died
some years ago.
Possessing the confidence of the peo-
pie in his integrity and judgment, Mr..
Hammond was called to public service
in several capacities. He was elected q
selectman Of the town of Paris in 1891,
and from that time held the position
during three separate periods total OF
some seventeen years in all. At the
time of bis death he was holding the
position to which he had been success
sively elected each year since 1915. In
1901 he was representative to the legis-
lature from the Paris class, and from
1909 to 1915 he was county commissioners
of Oxford County. He was trustee Of
South Paris Savings Bank, and until he
resigned the position few weeks since
was president of the Oxford County
Patrons of Husbsndry Mutual Fire H.
surance Co. He had been vice-president
of the Oxford County Agricultural So.
ciety and had held other positions OF
public service, and was faithful and
efficient in them all. In politics he was
always Republican.
He was a member of Paris Grange, P.
of a., and had been active in its affairs,
He was also a member of Hamlin Lodge,
Knights of Pythias.
The funeral was held at the home at
lis Sunday, attended by Rev. c. G.
Miller of South Paris and Mrs. Helen b.
Carlson of Paris Hill. The service ofthe
knights of Pythias was also given by
Hamlin Lodge. There was q very large
attendance. Burial is in Hillside Gene
tery.