A Life of Service, Family, and Resilience
Introduction
How do we truly understand the life of an ancestor?
For my 2nd great grandfather, Richmond Fisk Hammond, the answer comes from weaving together records—military, census, and family sources—into a story that spans from Ohio to Kansas and finally to California. His life reflects not only the experiences of one man, but also the broader story of 19th-century America.
Early Life and Family
Richmond Fisk Hammond was born on 20 November 1840 in Ohio, the son of Horatio Hammond and Louisa Fisk.
He grew up in a large family, one of eleven children. His siblings included Amelia, Juliett, George, Francis, Jehiel, Lucius, John, Cornelius, Louisa, and Mary. Several of his siblings died young, a reminder of the realities of life in the mid-1800s.
By 1860, the Hammond family had moved west to Illinois, part of the larger migration pattern that brought many families from the eastern states into the Midwest.
Civil War Service
Richmond came of age during one of the most defining events in American history—the Civil War.
He first enlisted in May 1861 in the 17th Illinois Infantry. After a short period of service and discharge, he reenlisted multiple times, eventually joining the 14th Illinois Cavalry, where he served most of his military career.
During the Atlanta Campaign in August 1864, Richmond was captured by Confederate forces. He spent months as a prisoner of war before being paroled in early 1865 and returning to Union lines.
Like many veterans, his wartime experiences did not end with the war. His later pension records show that the hardships he endured—particularly during imprisonment—affected his health for the rest of his life.
Marriage and Children
Shortly after the war, Richmond married Sarah Ellen Ralston on 1 January 1867 in Knoxville, Illinois. Sarah was the daughter of James Barr Ralston and Nancy Jane McCormick.
Together, Richmond and Sarah had a large family:
- William R. R. Hammond
- Homer L. Hammond
- Judson F. E. Hammond
- Estella Mabel Hammond
- Forrest Clinton Hammond
- Nellie Elida Hammond
- Josie Winifred Hammond
- Glenn M. Hammond
- Clyde Nelson Hammond
Their family grew during years of movement and settlement, first in Illinois and later in Iowa and Kansas.
After Sarah’s death in 1892, Richmond married Mary McClure in 1897 in Dodge City, Kansas. They had one daughter, Hattie Louisa Hammond.
Following Mary’s death in 1901, Richmond married a third time to Mary A. Grim in 1906.
Life in Kansas
Richmond eventually settled in Dodge City, Kansas, where he worked as a farmer and became part of the growing community.
This was a period of transition for Dodge City—from a frontier cattle town into a more stable agricultural region. Richmond’s life there reflects that shift. He filed land claims, helped build local infrastructure, and participated in community life.
He was also active in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), an organization of Union veterans, and even served as a post commander—an indication of the respect he earned from fellow veterans.
Later Years in California
In his later years, Richmond moved west once again, this time to California. He eventually became a resident of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Sawtelle, near Los Angeles.
These homes were established to care for aging Civil War veterans, many of whom, like Richmond, continued to suffer from the effects of their service.
Death and Burial
Richmond Fisk Hammond died on 8 April 1928 in Sawtelle, Los Angeles County, California, at the age of 87.
He was buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery, a fitting resting place for a man whose life was shaped by his service during the Civil War.
Conclusion
Richmond Fisk Hammond’s life tells a story of movement, service, and endurance. From Ohio to Illinois, from the battlefields of the Civil War to the plains of Kansas, and finally to California, his journey reflects the experiences of a generation.
Through the records he left behind, we can see more than just dates and places—we can see a life lived through challenge and change, and a legacy carried forward through his family.