Tulare County Biographies

C. J. HAMMER

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        C. J. Hammer, head of the C. J. Hammer Pump & Machine Works of Visalia, 
California, is a native of that city, where he was born March 22, 1891. His 
father, Andrew Hammer, came from Germany in his boyhood and for several years 
was attached to Sells circus as a trapeze performer. Meeting with an accident in 
Los Angeles, he gave up circus life and came to Visalia, where he was associated 
with Hugh Mooney in the operation of a brewery for a short time. Then he and his 
brother, Joseph Hammer, opened a beer bottling and distributing depot, and he 
remained in that business until his death in 1900. He married Miss Catherine 
Barth, and to the union were born two sons and two daughters. The mother of 
these children is still living.
        C. J. Hammer was educated in the public schools of Visalia, but left 
school when he was in the seventh grade to go to work for the old cannery in the 
machinery department. He was then fifteen years of age. When he was eighteen he 
started in to learn the carpenter's trade but worked at it only about one year. 
He was then for some time with the firm of Goldstein & Eisman, installing 
pumping plants, and later was employed by F. H. Whipple in the same line. In 
1914 he embarked in business for himself and now specializes in centrifugal 
pumps and tractors. He owns his factory on West Center street and while his 
plant is not a large one, he keeps from four to six men constantly employed and 
his equipment compares favorably with that found in many larger establishments. 
Mr. Hammer is a splendid example of a self made man and stands high in the city 
where he has so far resided.
        In his political opinions Mr. Hammer adheres to the principles of the 
democratic party, but he is too busy most of the time to take any active part in 
political affairs. His principal recreation is an occasional fishing trip and 
deer hunt, and he also takes in all football games whenever possible. He married 
Miss Alice M. St. Claire, who was born in the Deep Creek district of Tulare 
county and educated in the public schools. Two children, Beatrice and Harold, 
have been born to them.
 
Source:  History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen 
Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. II, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1926., p. 465