Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/107

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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Pulaski county, Virginia, January i, 1847. son of Dr. Michael Hamaker, born in Mont- gomery county, Virginia, in March, 1801. died in Pulaski county. Virginia. August 19. 1 87 1. Dr. Hamaker prepared for th.; practice of medicine, and for many yearr, was a beloved physician of Pulaski county. He was a member of the old Virginia State Militia, took an active interest in public affairs, but age prevented him joining the Confederate army, but he sent his three sons, John David. Robert D., James Philip. all of whom served in Virginia regiments Dr. Hamaker married Mary Yost Douthat. born in Christiansburg, Virginia, in 1810. died in 1S71, daughter of Robert and ]\Iar\- Douthat. Sons: Robert D., a private of the Twenty-fourth Regiment Virginia Volun- teer Infantry, under General Pickett, par- ticipating in the battle of Gettysburg, late in the war was captured by Union troops and confined in Fort Delaware until the end of the war. now residing in Idaho; James Philip, sergeant in the Fiftieth Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, was wounded, captured and confined in Fort Delaware un- til the war closed, now residing in Aledo, Texas : John David, of whom further.

Rev. John David Plamaker attended the old "Field schools" of Pulaski county until 1864, then enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Bat- talion Virginia Cavalry. Major James Sweeney commanding at that time, and vm- til the surrender in .^pril, 1865. proved the strength of his devotion to the Southern cause, he beine only seventeen years of age at the time of his enlistment. He passed through the conflict safely, rendering val- iant service with his battalion until Appo- mattox closed his career. After the war he engaged in farming and shoe manufactur- ing until 1872, then, feeling called to preach the gospel, entered King College, Bristol, Tennessee, an educational institution con- nected with the Presbyterian church. He pursued the regular course of study there from 1872 until 1875, and during this period occupied several pulpits in Bristol and sur- rounding towns. He was ordained a min- ister of the Christian church (Disciples of Christ) his first pastorate being at Bristol. where he remained three years. He then returned to Virginia, accepting a call from the W'ytheville church, and after a two years' pastorate went to the church at Snowville, Virginia, where he remained four

years. In 1887 he began his pastorate with the church at Strasburg, \'irginia, where he is the spiritual head of an earnest, devoted congregation, that has, under his leadership, attained spiritual and material prosperity. Devoted to the cause he has faithfully served for so many years. Rev. John D. Hamaker has imbued his congregation with the same spirit and made it a great force in the spiritual life of Strasburg.

.A soldier under two flags, the barred stripes of the Confederacy and the white banner of the Cross, going down to defeat with one and yet grandly battling for souls under the other, and proud of his service under both. Rev. John D. Hamaker's life has been one of conflict, with powerful forces arrayed against the cause he es- poused. Ten years after the cessation of hostilities between the North andthe South, he enlisted under the banner of the Prince of Peace and in that bloodless, but not less strenuous, warfare, has since been con- tinuously engaged. There is no earthly way of computing the value of a good man's life, but the great Captain of all does not com]nite by earthly standards. His de- mands are plain, his promises specific, his reward sure and in "that spiritual building, that house not made with hands" he has promised a residence for those saints of the earth whose lives have met his require- ments. So to the Christian veteran there is a rich recompense allotted in addition to the joys of sacrifice, the joy of work for the Master that has ever been his.

Rev. John D. Hamaker has ever remem- bered the comrades of his youthful army days and for many years has been afifiliated with them in the organization. United Con- federate Veterans, being a member of Stover Camp. He was raised a Mason in .Shelby Lodge, in Bristol, Tennessee, served as its chaplain, and on coming to Stras- burg, \'irginia, affiliated by demit with Spermont Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of that city. In both camp and lodge he is held in highest esteem by his comrades and brethren, and in turn is deeply attached to both organizations.

Rev. John D. Hamaker married, October 22. 1868, Florence Jane Meredith, born in Pulaski county, Virginia. October 2, 1846, daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah (Wushum) ^leredith. Children, all born in Pulaski county. \'irginia: I. .Arthur IL, born Oc-