Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 43.

	J. O. HAMAKER, now serving for the second term as mayor of Bonanza, of 
which twon he was practically the founder and builder, and also publishing the 
Bonanza Bulletin, was born in Marion county, Iowa, July 30, 1856 his parents 
being David and Rebecca (Rodgers) Hamaker both of whom were natives of 
Pennsylvania, the latter being a lineal descendant of Sir John Rodgers.  The 
Hamakers are of German lineage and the name was originally spelled Hammacher.  
The family was founded in America at an early period in the development of 
this country and the grandfather was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.  
David Hamaker was married in Ohio and in 1847 removed to Iowa, where he and 
his  wife spent the remainder of their lives.  He and his brothers built the 
first  mill in that locality and they came of a family of millers.  In 1864 he 
and  his eldest son, J. W. Hamaker, enlisted for service in the Civil War, the 
latter becoming a member of the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, while the father 
was chaplain of the Fortieth Iowa.  Both served until the close of the 
hostilities and the father contracted disease which caused his death less than 
a year after the close of the war.  Two daughters of the family died in 
childhood, while four sons reached maturity, namely: J.W., now deceased; J.D., 
of Toledo, Oregon; S.C., of Bly, Oreong; and J.O., of this review.
	The last named remained at the place of his birth until 1869 spending 
his time in school and upon the farm.  He afterward lived for seven years in 
Kansas and during that period devoted two years to the study of telegraphy at 
Humboldt, Kansas.  He was worked around the depot in different ways and spent 
some time in school.  Believing that the far west offered better 
opportunities, he came to Oregon in 1879 and on the 1st of March, 1880, 
settled in Klamath county, where he has since remained.  He spent seven years 
in the saddle as a cowboy and then embarked in merchandising in Bonanza but 
during the first year lost five thousand dollars.  During that time he platted 
the first addition to the town and, in fact, was the real founder of the 
town, for there was only one house here when he came.  During the past seven 
years he has edited and published the Bonanza Bulletin, making it an 
attractive country town paper.  He has also practiced law to some extent and 
has the only land law library in Klamath county.  He also owns two ranches in 
this district and twenty-five town lots.  He is likewise the owner of the 
telephone exchange of Bonanza, having installed the system and secured a 
thirty-years' franchise.  His various business interests are capably conducted 
and he is now prospering in his undertakings.
	In 1885 Mr. Hamaker was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Horton, 
who was born in the Willamette valley of Oregon in 1860, and is a daughter of 
W. H. and Elizabeth (Poe) Horton.  Unto them have been born nine children: Ora 
R., who is the wife of George S. Boyd of Bly, Oregon; Horace E., spent one 
year as a student of the Oregon Agricultural College of Corvallis and is now 
in Bonanza; Mont W.; Marie; Marvin Horton; Hilda H.; Birdie E.; Annie; and 
Amanda.  The eldest daughter was a member of the first class that graduated on 
the completion of the eighth grade work from the schools of Bonanza.
	Mr. Hamaker is a republican in his political views and has filled 
several local offices.  He served for five years as United States 
Ccommissioner of Oregon and at the present time he is serving for the second 
term as mayor of the town.  He exercises his official prerogatives and his 
influence as a private citizen in behalf of the best interests of the 
community and his labors have been effective forces for upbuilding, progress 
and development here.  He is energetic, determined and resolute, and 
accomplishes what he undertakes.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project Jenny Tenlen. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.