Fred R. Hammond, secretary and treasurer of the Burlington Lumber Company, was born in Jonesville, Mich., Sept. 11, 1871, the son of William and Mary (Aiken) Hammond. His paternal grandfather, Erastus Hammond, was a native of Vermont who carried arms in defense of his country during the Revolution and against England in the war of 1812. William Hammond was born in the State of New York, where he was reared and received the educational advantages of boys of that period. In 1837 he removed to Michigan and cleared a farm in the almost unbroken wilderness. In 1903, Mr. Hammond came to Kansas but died two years later at Burlington. He was a member of the Prohibition party and belonged to the Methodist church. Fred R. Hammond's maternal grandfather, John Aiken, was born in Ohio; when he attained manhood he became a molder and located at Union City, Mich., where he spent his life.

Mr. Hammond was educated in the excellent public schools of Union City, Mich., and after graduating from the high school went to Chicago, Ill., where he worked for three years, and then came to Kansas. He located at Emporia, started to work for the Emporia Lumber Company and in three years had thoroughly mastered the business. During this time he became ambitious to own a lumber yard of his own. Accordingly he located at Burlington and organized the Burlington Lumber Company, which was incorporated in 1902, with W. W. Brown as president and Mr. Hammond as secretary and treasurer. As Mr. Brown resides at Parsons, Mr. Hammond practically carries on the business. The company is incorporated for $15,000, and carries a nice surplus. Since 1902 the concern has grown and is doing a fine business. Mr. Hammond is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

In 1898, Mr. Hammond married Katherine Heidemann, of Emporia. One child has come to bless the home, Miss Dorothy. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.