HAMER, Thomas L., soldier, born in Pennsylvania; died in Monterey, Mexico, 2 December, 1846. He emigrated to Ohio when quite young, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1821, and began practice at Georgetown in that state. He served for several years in the Ohio house of representatives, where he was once speaker, and was elected to congress as a Democrat, serving from 2 December, 1833, to 3 March, 1839. While he was a representative in congress he nominated Ulysses S. Grant, the son of a constituent, to be a cadet at the United States military academy, he served in the Mexican war, volunteering as a private, and receiving the next day, 1 July, 1846, the commission of brigadier-general. He distinguished himself at Monterey, and commanded his division after General William O. Butler was wounded. He died shortly afterward, and congress, in recognition of his gallantry, presented a sword to his nearest male relative.