Luther J. Hamner, banker, P. O., Miami. Is the cashier of the Miami Savings Bank, in Miami, Saline county, Missouri. He was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, April 3, 1844, where he was reared on a plantation. At the age of sixteen, he entered the University of Virginia, but in 1862, when but seventeen years of age, he volunteered in the southern army, and was made second lieutenant in company I, 49th regiment Virginia infantry, of which regiment ex-Governor Billy Smith was colonel. In 1863 he was promoted to first lieutenant, and was acting adjutant of the regiment the last two years of the war. He was wounded in the neck at Fair Oaks, April, 1862, and at Hatch’s Run in February, 1865, in both thighs. He was in the seven days fight around Richmond, at Williamsburg, and at all the subsequent battles of Lee, Jackson, and Early, except Antietam, and was at the final surrender at Appomattox court house. After the war closed, he moved, first to Union county, Kentucky, where he taught school for eighteen months, and then moved to Saline county, Missouri, and located in Miami. Soon after, he entered the private bank of James H. Eakin, as clerk. In eighteen months he became a partner with Mr. Eakin, and remained so until the bank changed hands, and was reorganized in 1873, becoming the Miami Savings Bank, when he was elected cashier, and has retained that position ever since. In December, 1873, he married Miss Bettie O’Bannon, and to them has been born, Sallie C., and twins, Lizzie S., and Riva Sue. Is a chapter member of A. F. & A. M., and has been twice master of the lodge.
