LUTHER KURTZ HAMMER

Sacramento County

Biographies

LUTHER KURTZ HAMMER

LUTHER KURTZ HAMMER (deceased), a pioneer of California and one of the best known Sacramentans in time gone by, was a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, born February 7, 1826, and a son of Jacob Hammer. When he was a mere child, the family removed to Mansfield, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood and learned the jeweler’s trade. From there he went to Illinois, where he worked at his trade. When the California gold excitement broke out, he decided to try his fortunes in new El Dorado, and in 1849 he joined one of the parties organized to cross the plains. The trip was more than ordinarily spiced with adventure. On one occasion, when attempting to cross a river on horseback, the horse was caught in the current and swept down the stream, while he himself was helpless. But a lasso was thrown at him from the shore, and catching it, he was pulled in and rescued when on the point of drowning. The horse, however, was lost. He was an expert banjo player, and as he had one of those instruments along, there was often music in the camp. The “Across the Plains” speaks of a instance where a train had gone into camp for the night, and among its people were several negros. Mr. Hammer came into the camp with his banjo, and greatly entertained the people of the train with his music, while the negros were rendered frantic with delight. On arriving in California he engaged in teaming between Sacramento and Jackson, afterward settling in the latter place and embarking in the jewelry business there. From there he removed to Sacramento and engaged in the music business in partnership with J. R. Tolles. A few years later Mr. Hammer became sole proprietor of the business. He came to Sacramento a single man and married in this city to Miss Maria L. Tolles, a native of Mansfield, Ohio, both of whose parents died in Sacramento. Her father was engaged in the real-estate business here up to the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer were the parents of four children, of whom only M. L., survived. The deceased are: Frank T., Frederick C., and Alice M. L. K. Hammer was a prominent Mason. He joined the order at Sacramento, in Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, and was a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery. He was also a member of the Pioneer Society. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its supporters, and always took an active interest in public affairs. He held the post of school director for two terms, and was an incumbent of the office at the time of his death, which occurred November 27, 1883. Mr. Hammer is remembered as one of the representative business men of his time. He was virtually the introducer of the Chickering piano in this market, and was identified with that instrument for many years. M. L. Hammer, proprietor of the wholesale and retail music house at 830 J street, is the only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Hammer, and is a worthy representative of the name of one of the California pioneers, as he ranks today, though a young man, among the leading business men of Sacramento. Mr. Hammer was born in Sacramento, October 25, 1864, was reared here and educated in the city public schools. When his father’s death left the music establishment on his young shoulders, he had had but a year’s experience in the business. But he rose to the emergency, and instead of sinking under the load, has increased the trade of the house in every direction, and now has a larger trade in the general musical line than any house on the Pacific Coast, outside of San Francisco, while his business in now in better shape than ever. Mr. Hammer is a member of the Sacramento Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Sunset Parlor, N. S. G. W. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Hammer is an entertaining, pushing young man of excellent business qualifications, and well deserves the success with which he is meeting in business.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 642-643. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.