The Evening Republican
Columbus, Indiana
Friday, Oct. 18, 1935
Theophilus C. Hammond, 94, Civil war veteran and one of the oldest residents of the county, died this morning at 8 o'clock at his home in Elizabethtown. He had been in declining health for several years but his condition did not become serious until a few weeks ago. Death was due to ailments attendant to old age.

Funeral services have not been arranged pending arrival of relatives from a distance.

Mr. Hammond had lived in this county for more than 63 years and he was well known. He was familiarly called "Op" by his many friends. He was born Jan. 13, 1842, in Cincinnati, and spent his early life there. When a young man he came to this county and spent the remainder of his life in and near Elizabethtown.

For many, years during his younger days, Mr. Hammond was an auctioneer, stock buyer and farmer and continued working at these trades until 25 years ago when he retired.

On April 20, 1861, he enlisted for services in the Civil war and served with Company E, Fifth Ohio Infantry. On Dec. 10, 1862, he was honorably discharged. He then returned to this county to make his home. He was an active member of the Methodist church and the G.A.R.

Mrs. Hammond died several years ago. Surviving are four sons and three daughters, Tom C., George, Clint and Mark Hammond of the Elizabethtown and Hege communities; Mrs. Jessie Gaither and Mrs. Alice Wright of St. Berenice, and Mrs. Grace Ross of Greenwood. There are also one nephew, Elmer Hammond, of Iowa, and a number of grandchildren. ∼NOTE: The 'd' on the end of Hammond appeared because whoever mustered Theophilus out of the Civil War put it there. It stayed in order for 'Op' to receive his benefits.

He was the son of James Alan (about 1814-after 1846) and Elizabeth Esther Sears (1815-1890) Hammon. FAMILY LEGEND: James was a riverboat captain. He left on a a boat and was never heard of again.

Theophilus' siblings (5): James Hammon (Sep 1, 1835-????); Isabella Hammon Claridge Gish Best (Apr 14, 1837-Dec 9, 1918); Harriett Newal Hammon (Sep 2, 1838-July 2, 1848); Augustus Adolphus Hammon (July 14, 1840-Oct 28, 1884); and Caroline Bliss Hammon Waughtell (Apr 4, 1846-1925).

April 20, 1861: Theophilus enrolled at Camp Dennison in Cincinnati, OH; Pvt, Co E, 5th Regt, OH Infantry for a period of three years. Enlistment lists occupation as clerk. He was enlisted by Capt George Whitcomb.

FROM A 'GENERAL AFFIDAVIT':

Theophilus states that he was a driver of the ammunition wagon for the 5th Regt of Ohio Infantry on the 16th day of September 1862 at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland.
"I was attacked with the rheumatism (also diarrhea and fever) and was sent to the (field) hospital and then sent to the hospital at Harper's Ferry until my mother came and took me to me home at Cincinnati and from there to New Richmond, Ohio where I remained up to the year 1865, unable to do anything. From the time of my taking sick in September 1862 up to the time of my arrival at New Richmond, Ohio I was in such a condition that I cannot remember dates or occurrences and it is therefore impossible for me to make a detailed statement. My disabilities were of such severity that it was impossible for me to return to my regiment until long after its muster out of the service - all on account of the rheumatism and resulting disabilities which still continues to affect me to such an extent that I have been, ever since September 1862, unable to perform manual labor."

WAR DEPARTMENT RECORD AND PENSION DIVISION:

March 19, 1891 (notation notes): Application for removal of the charge of desertion and for an honorable discharge has been denied.

March 21, 1891: The notation on March 19, 1891 is cancelled. The charges of desertion against this man are removed and he is discharged to date December 10, 1862, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved March 2, 1889. Discharge certificate furnished by the War Department on April 20, 1891.

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Photography was his hobby. He met Mary - his wife to be - when her mother brought her to have her picture taken. He married her when she was 15.

He married Mary Margaret White on July 15, 1865 in Lebanon, Warren Co, Ohio.

Their children (11): Bessie Belle Hammond Day (1866-1909); Minnie May Hammon (1867-1884); Thomas Clarence Hammond (1869-1958); Charles Augustus Hammond (1872-1925); James Alfred Wedan Hammond (1875-1896) (never married); George Kennedy Hammond (1877-1959); Carrie 'Grace' Hammond Ross (1881-1952); Alice Hazel Hammond Wright (1883-1964); Clint Harry Hammond (1885-1969); Mark Evert (1888-1968); and Jessie Margaret Hammond Nagel Gaither (1890-1967).

NOTE: His daughter, Bessie, was born on a riverboat from Madison, Indiana to St Louis, Missouri.

NOTE: His son, Thomas Clarence, was originally named Clarence Thomas.

Theophilus was an auctioneer, a stock buyer and a farmer.

He died at age 93 years 9 months 5 days.