Jason E. Hammond

Jason Elmer Hammond (May 17, 1862 – October 20, 1957) was an American educator and politician.

Early life and education Jason E. Hammond was born on May 17, 1862, in Ransom Township, Michigan in Hillsdale County, to Luther and Rhoba Hammond. He was their fifth child. At nineteen years old, Hammond started attended Hillsdale College. He attended four terms, and then taught at district school for seven terms. In 1883, he started attending the Michigan State Agricultural College (now known as Michigan State University). He graduated in August 1886, with a Bachelors of Science. He served as alumni secretary of his graduating class. During this period, Hammond spent a summer doing work at the Michigan Normal School (now known as Eastern Michigan University) as well as reading law. Hammond served as deputy for Pattengill's tenure in office, from 1893 to 1897. Hammond wrote the book The School Law of Michigan, published in 1896. On August 6, 1896, Hammond was nominated by the Republican convention at Grand Rapids, in a four way race. Hammond won the general election with 293,578 votes, compared to the 232,196 votes of David E. Haskins, the Democratic People's Union Silver candidate. After the general election, Hammond appointed Daniel E. McClure, one of his opponents in the convention, as deputy. Before his election, in 1896, Hammond began an investigation into the conditions of ten counties' schools. He investigated a school in each county, and collected information on various aspects of their conditions, as well photographs. Results were published in the superintendent report of 1897–1898. In the 1898 general election, Hammond defeated Democratic People's Union Silver candidate John F. Evert. In September 1899, Hammond made a new compilation of school laws. Since 1898, Hammond was in favor of a normal school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. On September 19, 1899, the Normal School at Marquette (now known as Northern Michigan University) was opened. In 1900, Hammond announced that he planned to retire from politics at the expiration of his superintendent term the same year. The same year, Hammond was granted an honorary master's degree from the Michigan State Agricultural College. In 1921, Hammond was appointed by Governor Alex J. Groesbeck to the state welfare commission.

On May 1, 1919, Hammond became the manager of the Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. Hammond also served as treasurer of the Michigan Merchants' Association and as associate secretary of the Grand Rapids Merchants' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. His retirement was made effective July 1.

Personal life Hammond married Genevieve F. Whitten on April 5, 1893, in Jonesville. Genevieve was a teacher. Together, they had one son. Hammond was a Freemason, belonging to the Masonic Lodge at Lansing. Hammond was a Congregationalist. He served as superintendent of the church school at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Lansing, and as a member of its educational committee.