This community was saddened on Thursday morning to learn of the passing of one of its oldest pioneers, and most useful citizens, Robert Preston Hamm. [Photograph] The soul of this beloved father began its pilgrimage on earth Nov. 27, 1831, in a little country home among the hills of Flemming county, Kentucky, where he was raised to manhood among a family of eleven children, five brothers and six sisters, three of whom he leaves behind to mourn his loss and cherish his memory. On August 31, 1854, Susan Ann Million became his life-long companion and helpmate, and together they have journeyed for over sixty-six years in joyful companionship. To them were born seven children, Lille Belle (who died at two years of age); Cora L., now wife of J. A. Pierce; Dee Ella, now Mrs. Bishop; Barbara Ellen, now Mrs. A. Abel; Melville Grant, Mattie Eva, now Mrs. J. A. Martiens, and Robert H., all living in this community. In his young manhood he felt the call of the west for men to build a noble state. At twenty-one years of age he pushed out from the home scenes and began for himself at Chaney’s Grove, Ill., where he spent two years, returning to Kentucky to be married. Here they spent three years, but the climate did not agree with Mrs. Hamm, and they started overland to the territory of Kansas. The wife stopped in Missouri for the winter of 1857, while he pushed on and took a claim five miles west of Holton, which has been their old home ever since. The wife, with two their children, came in the spring of 1858, and they lived on the farm until Nov. 7, 1904, when they moved to Holton, leaving the farm in the care of their two sons. In 1852 he united with the M. E. church and began a life of service to his fellow man … He assisted in organizing the first Sunday school and M. E. class in Jackson county, or in fact this part of Kansas, at Banner in 1858, which has never died. In 1859 he was licensed to preach and for 30 years, until health forbid, he went far and near, preaching and burying the dead, organizing new churches and strengthening the older ones … he was a self supporting missionary - worked six days on the farm and rode from 10 to 40 miles on Sunday to meet his appointments …. When the Civil war broke out he tried to enlist at three times, but was rejected …. Later when General Price threatened to raid Kansas, he joined the “Kansas Tads” and saw active service in repulsing his raid. The script he received as his pay has never been presented for payment, as he held he went out to protect and build Kansas …. He leaves his aged companion, six children, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren ….
Mr. and Mrs. Merrell Hamm of Kansas City; Mrs. W. M. Hamm, Mr. and Mrs. B. K. Hamm and Dr. Riggs, of Horton; Mrs. Anna Baxter of Muscotah; Mr. and Mrs. Hal Hamm, of Wetmore, and Miss Nannie Ham of Hiawatha attended the funeral of Rev. R. P. Hamm Friday.
The Holton Recorder, September 23, 1920.