Ernie Hammer is a long time Kiowa County Press contributor. This story is written by Ernie’s Aunt Liz, Elizabeth Katherine (Hammer) Smith Benatti, based on her memories and family research. The story begins in Germany with Oswald Hammer and Margarethe Marie von Barsewisch, Liz’s parents. Liz passed away at the age of 104. She was living at the Kohart Home in Kit Carson at the time of her death. Part 3 can be read here.

The Family Grows

Ludwig O. Hammer was busy the first two years he stayed in New York City after his arrival in Germany. Many missions took him as far away as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and even into the back woods of Johnstown, Ohio.

Ellis Island was over. Ludwig told “Greta” he would be here at Ellis to help for a few days then he’d head for Philadelphia where he would get his missionary assignment. She told him she would stay with the pastor and his wife until they got situated and she could get some kind of job.

It so happened that Oswald got home this lot of positive established small churches in his mission field. He told about the Blair Hills mission and the Altoona, PA mission where he met his supervisor Reverend J. Muellor, who worked out of the Pittsburgh Synod. Then it was Greta’s turn, so she told him of her pregnancy.

Margarethe had no time for doing the church detailed work for her first child was kicking up lively as and healthy unborn. On March 20 1895 Martin became a child to be happy with.

A year later there was a new crying boy, Paul, born March 23, 1896. Then they found themselves in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where Oswald and Margarethe were well pleased. Margarethe having born Martin and Paul in Collinsville and Ted in Johnstown on March 10, 1898 was pregnant with another child.

Gerhardt, born on December 26, 1899, had some kind of virus or bacteria to make a sickly baby. Mother Hammer decided to take him home and take care of him there. With Margarethe’s nursing training and motherly love she knew Gerhardt would be better off with her. Margarethe soon became wan and fatigued and became pregnant again.

As the days passed by Margarethe grew weaker as baby Gerhardt grew stronger. Then something went wrong, Margarethe was going into premature labor. The doctor was called and he delivered little Marie in the fall of 1900. Death came quietly one night as Oswald was holding her to give some rest to Greta.

Frederick or Fritz as he was called was born healthy and happy on June 9, 1903. He became a sturdy yearling before Rod showed up just before Christmas on December 15, 1905, as the church and town began the Christmas festivities.

The pews grew crowded each Sunday. The directors decided to ask the pastor for another sermon to be after the German services; and after a few more Sundays and board meetings the new services were to be in English. Here L.O. Hammer did an about face and gave everything he had to offer against such deviation from God’s will for his congregation. But for Margarethe’s interferences appeasing both sides by offering a special German service on Wednesday evenings, there might not have been a good fellowship among the whole congregation.

When the congregation changed the name of the church—the bigger newer one the German sermons were eliminated from the Sunday Services, Oswald resigned as pastor. This letter of resignation, in part, “because my mission is to establish German churches throughout the west. Therefore by the Grace of God, I will do his will.”

Greta and Oswald stayed up nights until all the arrangements were made and he left for Denver, Colorado.

The Hammers became a family of seven live children, with Elizabeth, born on March 23, 1906.

While L.O. Hammer had resigned his pastorship in Parkersburg and was meandering all the way to Chicago, to the Dakotas, to Nebraska to Colorado, Greta, his wife was busy attending the children. Her friend Anne Gifford, who was her dear friend often sat in the grape arbor in the backyard watching the children dig the dirt.

Anne came walking up the sidewalk (the sidewalk where Father Hammer lost his wedding ring) with a bundle of mail. First was the letter from Florida, the monthly bill for the orange grove. The second letter was from the oldest sister Augustine who was a doctor, and told her that her father Frederick Johannes Von Barsewisch had retired but Marie their mother was going strong. And a letter from father! And the room grew quiet as Mother read the letter. As she folded the letter and carefully put into the envelope she said, “Children, we have to move again.”

Sadly, the day came too quickly for their departure. The children were big eyed and quiet. Anne and Margarethe said their goodbyes—hugging tightly and “we’ll write.”

Next week – Colorado Springs.

Summarized by Janet Frederick

The Kiowa County Press invites those who live in or have ties to Colorado - especially the southeast, however all contributions are welcome - to share their story with our readers. Family history, current life, unique sites and adventures, and other aspects of living in Colorado are welcome. Contact us at editor@KiowaCountyPress.net.