Hamer, Thomas
soldier, farmer, merchant, legislator, was born June 1, 1818, in Union county, Pa. He received his education at the Milton academy; and moved to Illinois in 1846. He served in the union army during the civil war as colonel of the eighty-fourth regiment IIlinois volunteer infantry; was wounded at the battle of Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862; had two horses shot from under him; and was presented by his men with a gold watch for gallantry on the field of battle. He has held nearly all the minor offices in the gift of his town and county; represented his district for four years in the Illinois state legislature; and for eight years was a member of the state senate, his last term expiring on Jan. 1, 1897. He has retired from private and public service; and is an honored citizen of Vermont, Ill.