Samuel Hummer, by his early settlement and his wide interests as a land owner and business man, is one of the sterling pioneers of Kansas whose names should receive the credit of some record in this publication.
He was born near Gettysburg and not far from the battlefield of that name in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 1811. His father, P. H. Hummer, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Samuel Hummer grew up in Pennsylvania, followed farming there for a number of years, and in 1868 brought his family out to Kansas. On the 16th of December of that year he ate his first meal in the state at the old Gordon Hotel on East Fourth Street in Topeka. He then settled on his farm and from the first gave particular attention to the raising of good grades of livestock. He was one of the successful men of his time, and lived a long and useful life, which came to its close in 1891 at the age of eighty.
In 1835 in Pennsylvania he married Anna Heller. To their marriage were born five daughters and four sons, and those who grew to maturity were Lewis, Hiram, Isabel, June, Clayton, Ann and Samuel Jr.
The late Samuel Hummer was a man of deep religious convictions, and for years was identified with the Dunkard Church, doing much to maintain that organization in the early days of Kansas. In disposition he was jovial and happy, possessed high moral character, never used liquor nor tobacco and was upright and square in all his dealings. He enjoyed the love and respect of his own family, though he always maintained strict discipline in the household.
Clayton W. Hummer, a son of this pioneer, was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 1851, and accompanied the family to Kansas. For many years he has been a successful farmer, though he started his career with practically nothing. Since then by hard work and good judgment he has acquired 1,500 acres of land, of which 1,000 acres is under cultivation, and all of it within ten miles of Topeka. He is one of the largest stock raisers in Shawnee County, raising the Durham, Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. His home is on rural route No. 3 out of North Topeka.
In 1896 Clayton W. Hummer married Catherine Copeland and they had two children, Harry Clayton, who is living, and Anna L., who died in infancy. In politics Mr. Hummer is a republican.