My Genealogy Hound

Robert B. Hamner, of the firm of Hope & Hamner, livery and feed stable owners, was born in Monticello in 1855, the son of Thomas and Martha A. (Dacon) Hamner, the former, born in Bath County, Va., in 1822, and the latter in the same county in 1825. The father was a shoemaker, and in 1838 came to this county, and resumed his trade at Monticello. He died in 1857, and his widow two years later. Our subject, the youngest of six children, was but three years old when his mother died, and was reared by Robert A. Beddow, of Monticello. In 1868 latter returned to his native county (Henry County, Ky.). Our subject lived with him until his ninth year, when he began working in a brick yard at 50 cents per day. He then became an apprentice to a carder and weaver, in Eminence, Ky., but four years later, on account of ill health, he gave it up, and at the age of fifteen returned to this county, where he began stage driving between Canton and Edina. For four years he worked on the Q. M. & P. Railway as brakeman and baggage master. In February, 1874, he married Melinda L., a daughter of David and Sarah Rodefer, and born in this county in 1855. Their only child is Florence P. After a few years of farming, and two seasons of dairy business, he became partner in his present business in November, 1885. He is a Democrat, and first voted for Tilden. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.