Tulare County Biographies

FRANK L. HAMMER

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        In the category of useful citizens the contractor and builder should 
rightfully occupy a place near the head of the list. The architect may draw 
beautiful designs on paper, but such designs are worthless until the skilled 
builder gives them a permanence in brick or stone. The structures erected by the 
successful contractor and builder will remain as a monument to his skill long 
after he has passed away.
        Frank L. Hammer, one of the most prominent contractors and builders of 
Lindsay, California, was born on a farm in central Missouri, September 12, 1885, 
a son of Simon and Mary (White) Hammer. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, 
received a good public school education, and in 1904 paid his first visit to 
southern California, where he began learning the carpenter's trade. After a few 
months he returned to Missouri and worked at his trade there until 1906, when he 
again came to California. This time he worked at carpenter work in the northern 
part of the state for awhile, when he once more went back to Missouri.
        On June 8, 1908, in Lebanon, Mr. Hammer was married to Miss Lessie 
Garman of Lebanon, Missouri, and soon after his marriage took up his residence 
in Lindsay, California. He worked at his trade until 1914, when he began 
contracting on a small scale. As his reputation became known he was called upon 
to assume the construction of larger buildings, until now he is considered by 
many as the leading contractor of the city. Among the structures erected by him 
may be mentioned the No. 2 packing plant of the Lindsay Cooperative Citrus 
Association ; the buildings of the Lindsay Ripe Olive Company, the largest 
concern of its kind in the world ; the addition to the Lindsay high school 
building ; the E. M. M. Service building; and a number of the city's finest 
residences. Mr. Hammer is a Master Mason in good standing and takes an interest 
in the good work of that time-honored fraternity. He and his wife have four 
children : Veda, Melva, Wilma and Frank Leslie, Jr.
 
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., pp. 69-70