Rev. John David Hamaker
Files
Dublin Core
Title
Rev. John David Hamaker
Subject
Hamaker, Rev. John David "J.D." (1847-1931)
Description
John David "J.D." Hamaker is most remembered for his decades long service as a Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Strasburg and, in his early years, Woodstock.
Originally, J.D. was from Snowville, Pulaski County. He was the son of the son of Dr. Michael and Mary Yost (Douthat) Hamaker. He married Florence Jane Meredith in Snowille and the couple had three children: Arthur H., Florence Mae (1873-1941), and Bessie A. (1875-1959).
When J.D. was just 16 years old, he joined the Confederacy, and served as a member of the Thirty-sixth Battalion Virginia Cavalry, until the end of the Civil War.
The 1870 census for the Wassee Township of Pulaski County found him working as a shoemaker. He and his wife, Florence, had a 1-year old son, Arthur H.
By 1880, the family had re-located to the Davis District of Shenandoah County where J.D.’s occupation was “preacher”. He remained in the Strasburg area for the rest of his life. A long obituary published in the Strasburg News on October 14, 1931, referred to him as: “probably the best known and most beloved citizen of Strasburg”.
Indeed, he was very involved in the community during the 59 years he served in the ministry of the Disciples of Christ. He was one of the founders and held a life membership in the Virginia Christian Missionary Society; he was a charter member of the American Home Missionary Society; with Dr. Josephus Hopewood he was co-founder of Virginia Christian College (now Lynchburg College), and served a number of terms as a member of the Board of Trustees of that institution. At the time of his death, he was Director of the Pension Campaign of the Disciples of Christ for the State of Virginia. Throughout his life he had been a strong advocate of prohibition, and was a co-founder of the Anti-Saloon League of Virginia.
For several years and at the time of his death he was commander of Stover Camp, United Confederate Veterans, and he loved to go to each annual encampment to mingle with the "Boys in Gray." He was an active member of Spurmont Lodge Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons and for a number of years served as Chaplain of the lodge. He was a member of the Board of directors of the Massanutten National Bank, and his associates recognized his “splendid judgment and keen business acumen”.
Originally, J.D. was from Snowville, Pulaski County. He was the son of the son of Dr. Michael and Mary Yost (Douthat) Hamaker. He married Florence Jane Meredith in Snowille and the couple had three children: Arthur H., Florence Mae (1873-1941), and Bessie A. (1875-1959).
When J.D. was just 16 years old, he joined the Confederacy, and served as a member of the Thirty-sixth Battalion Virginia Cavalry, until the end of the Civil War.
The 1870 census for the Wassee Township of Pulaski County found him working as a shoemaker. He and his wife, Florence, had a 1-year old son, Arthur H.
By 1880, the family had re-located to the Davis District of Shenandoah County where J.D.’s occupation was “preacher”. He remained in the Strasburg area for the rest of his life. A long obituary published in the Strasburg News on October 14, 1931, referred to him as: “probably the best known and most beloved citizen of Strasburg”.
Indeed, he was very involved in the community during the 59 years he served in the ministry of the Disciples of Christ. He was one of the founders and held a life membership in the Virginia Christian Missionary Society; he was a charter member of the American Home Missionary Society; with Dr. Josephus Hopewood he was co-founder of Virginia Christian College (now Lynchburg College), and served a number of terms as a member of the Board of Trustees of that institution. At the time of his death, he was Director of the Pension Campaign of the Disciples of Christ for the State of Virginia. Throughout his life he had been a strong advocate of prohibition, and was a co-founder of the Anti-Saloon League of Virginia.
For several years and at the time of his death he was commander of Stover Camp, United Confederate Veterans, and he loved to go to each annual encampment to mingle with the "Boys in Gray." He was an active member of Spurmont Lodge Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons and for a number of years served as Chaplain of the lodge. He was a member of the Board of directors of the Massanutten National Bank, and his associates recognized his “splendid judgment and keen business acumen”.
Creator
Morrison Studio
Source
Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
Labelled "June 1917" on box of plates.
Contributor
Identified by Joseph E. Pifer, who remembered the subject was his minister when he was a young man.
Additional biographical information was compiled from public records.
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
Relation
Same subject as in Morrison Photos 12676, 11522, 12273, 07406, and 13656.
Identifier
005445
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Glass Negative
Collection
Citation
Morrison Studio, “Rev. John David Hamaker,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed April 25, 2024, http://archives.countylib.org/items/show/36466.
Comments