Francis G. Hamer, 1843-1918 [RG4471.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG4471.AM:  Francis G. Hamer, 1843-1918

Papers:  1863-1964

Kearney, Buffalo County, Neb.:  Supreme Court Justice

Size:  0.4 cu.ft.; 1 box

BACKGROUND NOTE

Francis G. Hamer was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on February 20, 1843. He was the oldest of the four children born to Francis and Mary Hamer of Canton, Ohio. Hamer received his early education in the schools of Ohio and Indiana and in 1863 he became a student of law in the office of George K. Perrin and William R. Manlove and received his law training in Indianapolis. In 1869 Hamer migrated to Nebraska and the following year began to practice law in Lincoln. Shortly before settling in Nebraska, Hamer was married to Rebecca A. McCord of Delphi, Indiana, and they were to have two children, Thomas Francis and Grace Julia. In 1872 Hamer moved west and became the first lawyer to settle in Kearney. He engaged in an active law practice and in 1883 he was appointed judge of the Tenth Judicial District of Nebraska. Hamer ran and was defeated in the election for the Supreme Court in 1893, but won the election in 1910 and was a distinguished member of the bench from 1911-1918. Hamer died on August 10, 1918, at his home in Kearney, Nebraska.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of six folders of manuscript material containing correspondence, 1873-1964; biographical materials; poems; political material, 1911-1918; and newspaper clippings. This material relates to Hamer’s legal career, including the Nebraska Supreme Court, personal reminiscences of Kearney and Lincoln, Nebraska, in the 1870s, and biographical material regarding Hamer’s life. In addition, there is correspondence from W.D. Aeschbacher to Mrs. Jacob Kanzler regarding the Hamer collection.

DESCRIPTION

1. 1. Correspondence, 1873-1924

1. 1. Correspondence, 1963-1964

1. 1. Biographical material, including sketches, memorial articles, and personal reminiscences

1. 1. Poems

1. 1. Political material, 1911-1918, including speeches regarding the Supreme Court

1. 1. Newspaper clippings, including reminiscences of Hamer and articles regarding his career

Hamer, Francis G., 1843-1918

Kearney County (Neb.) — History

Lincoln (Neb.) — History

Nebraska. Laws, statutes, etc.

Nebraska. Supreme Court

Reminiscences

DAB/DJR/ab   05-19-1967

Encoded TMM   04-19-2010