Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/214

700 year. He was then detailed by the Confederate government to conduct farming operations for the benefit of the army, serving in that manner until the war closed. He was a member of the local school board, and a man of high standing in his community. He married Sarah Ann Mauck. born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1S30, died at Luray, Virginia, in 1896, daughter of John Mauck.

Colonel Robert Franklin Leedy, of Luray, Virginia, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, July 28, 1863. His early and preparatory education was obtained in the public schools of his county and later he studied law and was admitted to the Virginia bar 1893. He began the study of law under the direction of Hon. D. S. Henkle and in the offices of F. W. Weaver and John B. Minor, and then entered the summer law school at the University of Virginia and was admitted to the bar of Augusta county in September, 1893. After admission he began practice in Basic City, Virginia, continuing there two years, in 1895 moved his practice to Luray, where he is yet located as one of the leading lawyers of the Page comity bar, particularly well known for his connection with several of the celebrated criminal cases tried in the state courts. He practiced in Luray until 1899 as junior member of the firm of Weaver & Leedy and then continued along until 1908. when the partnership of Leedy & Berry was formed and so continues. Colonel Leedy has been retained in many celebrated cases, both criminal and civil, among the latter many important railroad suits. He bears a splendid reputation as a lawyer of learning, force and eloquence, his fame extending far beyond local limits. Judge Harrison was assailed in the celebrated Bywaters case (murder) by "Collier's Weekly" for opinions rendered and Colonel Leedy made a reply defending Judge Harrison which received mention in all the leading papers of Virginia. Shortly after "Collier's Weekly" published these letters in their weekly periodical without comment.

Colonel Leedv is a inember of various bar associations of his district, and is a popular member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lafayette Lodge, No. 137, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Luray Chapter, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons : and Luray Commandery, Knights Templar; and Acca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Richmond. In religious faith he is a Baptist, and in politics a Democrat.

While in Basic City he was elected mayor, resigning in 1895 during his second term, on account of his removing to Luray. In 1913 he was elected a member of the Virginia house of assembly, representing Rappahannock and Page counties. His political record is an honorable one and further service will no doubt be exacted from him.

Colonel Leedy obtained his title through service in the National Guard of Virginia. He was a member and captain of the "Page Rifles." an unassigned militia of Luray, later mustered in as Company C of the Second Regiment Virginia National Guard. Captain Leedy, in June, 1895, was elected lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, and in August following he was elected colonel, an office and rank he yet holds. Colonel Leedy has marked literary tastes and talent and is the author of several fugitive poems, one of rare and tender feeling, entitled "Stonewall Jackson," attracting wide and favorable comment.

Colonel Leedy married, March 27, 1890, Emma C. Kiester. a native of West Virginia. a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Kiester. and they are the parents of seven children, as follows: Nina C, Thelma H., John R., Lillian D., Rolfe M., Beverley B., and Cecil V.

Charles A. Hammer. This branch of the Hammer family of Virginia springs from Henry Hammer, who came to the valley of Virginia prior to the revolutionary war and through intermarriage from the Kevser family of Pennsylvania founded by Dirck Keyser, who settled at Germantown, in the latter state. Elizabeth (Filcrum) Hammer, the mother of Charles A. Hammer, was of Dutch and Irish descent.

Henry Hammer, when a mere lad. enlisted and served in the Indian campaigns. On the breaking out of the revolutionary war he became drummer boy in Captain Michael Cowger's company of Augusta militia. He was born in Germany, and came to America with his father. who settled in Bucks county. Pennsylvania, and later moved to Frederick, now Shenandoah county, Virginia. For months prior to the revolutionary war he was engaged in campaigns asjainst the Indians in what was known as Tvgart's Valley, Virginia, now West Virginia. At the close of the revolutionary war he was honorably discharged and mustered out of service at Smithfield. near Ports-