Edward Barton Hamm (1906 - 1982)

Born 13 Apr 1906 in Lonoke, Lonoke, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Erma Mary (Rogers) Schroeder — married 17 Dec 1933 (to 27 Dec 1943) in Billings, Yellowstone, Montana, United States

Husband of Joan Katherine (Meyers) Lagerberg — married 9 Mar 1948 in Bend, Deschutes, Oregon, United States

Died 25 Jun 1982 at age 76 in Albany, Linn, Oregon, United States

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Biography

Edward Hamm is Notable.

Edward Barton Hamm is a notable figure due to his exceptional achievements in track and field, particularly his triumph at the 1928 Olympics, where he clinched the gold medal in the long jump. His remarkable athletic talent was evident from a young age, as he dominated high school competitions and set records that earned him recognition at both national and international levels. Despite facing setbacks such as illness and the challenges of the Great Depression, Hamm's determination and skill propelled him to success, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of sports. His induction into multiple sports halls of fame further solidifies his status as a renowned athlete, whose contributions continue to inspire aspiring athletes worldwide.^[1][2]

Edward Barton Hamm was born on April 13, 1906, in Lonoke, Lonoke County, Arkansas, to Charles Edward Hamm and Zilpah Dare (Harris) Hamm.^[3] Growing up in Lonoke, Arkansas^[4][5], Edward showed remarkable talent for sports, particularly excelling in track and field. Despite bouts of malaria during his junior year in high school, he demonstrated exceptional prowess, clinching victory in various events.^[6]

His high school years were marked by numerous achievements, including winning the state long jump for three consecutive years and setting a state record of 23' 2". In 1924, he even set a world high school record of 24' 2 5/8", which earned him a spot in the Olympic trials, although he didn't qualify for the Olympics.^[6]

After high school, Edward attended Georgia Tech University, where his athletic career continued to soar. He dominated the Southeast Conference championship, claiming victories in the 100- and 220-yard sprints and the long jump for three consecutive years. In 1928, he broke the SEC record in the long jump and subsequently set a world record in the Olympic trials with a leap of 24' 11 1/2".^[7]

Edward's crowning moment came on July 31, 1928, at the Olympics in Amsterdam, where he clinched the gold medal and broke the Olympic record with a remarkable jump of 24' 4 3/4". Following his Olympic triumph, he toured England and Germany as part of a track and field team, maintaining an unbeatable streak in the long jump.^[7][8]

However, appendicitis abruptly interrupted Edward's athletic career shortly after returning to the United States, coinciding with the onset of the Great Depression. He moved to Birmingham, Alabama, for recovery, but never returned to Olympic competition.^[9][10]

In 1933, Edward married Erma Mary Rogers^[11], but their marriage ended in divorce in 1943.^[12] He later tied the knot with Joan Meyers in 1948.^[13] Throughout his life, Edward remained active, working for Coca-Cola Bottling Works in Klamath Falls, Oregon^[14][15], and owning and operating a sports shop in Bend, Oregon.^[16]

Despite retiring from competitive sports, Edward's legacy endured. In 1971, he was honored with his induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame^[17], and in 1996^[18], he was posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame. He passed away on June 25, 1982, in Albany, Linn County, Oregon^[19][20], and his ashes were scattered in lieu of a burial. Edward Barton Hamm's remarkable athletic achievements continue to inspire generations.^[21]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors. Ed Hamm. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. January 4, 2024, 20:36 UTC. Available at: "Ed Hamm." Accessed February 11, 2024.
2. ↑ Cunning, Charles William, Garland County Historical Society, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 8 Nov 2023. "Eddie Hamm (1906–1982)." Accessed 10 Feb 2024.
3. ↑ Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1906 Ancestry Record 61774 #556540
4. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Lonoke, Lonoke, Arkansas; Roll: T624_56; Page: 12a; Enumeration District: 0146; FHL microfilm: 1374069 Ancestry Record 7884 #189018099
5. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Lonoke, Lonoke, Arkansas; Roll: T625_70; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 172 Ancestry Record 6061 #3258036
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Reising, Robert. "Celebrating Athletic Excellence: Lonoke County – Eddie Hamm." 501 Life, November 30, 2020. https://501lifemag.com/celebrating-athletic-excellence-lonoke-county-eddie-hamm/ Celebrating Athletic Excellence: Lonoke County - Eddie Hamm]." Accessed 10 Feb 2024.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Who's who in American Sports. United States: National Biographical Society, Incorporated, 1928. "Who's who in American Sports." Accessed 10 Feb 2024.
8. ↑ Nine 'Track Meets' in a Month', The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, 31 Aug 1930, Sun. - Page 60. Newspapers Clip: 140684363, Accessed 10 Feb 2024.
9. ↑ "Eddie Hamm, Recovering from Operation, Finds Birmingham Ideal Place to Work", The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama, 21 Apr 1929, Sun. - Page 17. Newspapers Clip: 140684681, Accessed 20 Feb 2024.
10. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Lonoke, Lonoke, Arkansas; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0026; FHL microfilm: 2339818 Ancestry Record 6224 #86834291
11. ↑ Montana, U.S., County Marriages, 1865-1987: Montana State Historical Society; Helena, Montana; Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950 Ancestry Record 61578 #64469
12. ↑ Oregon, U.S., State Divorces, 1925-1971: Oregon Center For Health Statistics; Portland, Oregon, Usa; Oregon, Divorce Records, 1925-1945 Ancestry Record 61678 #18097
13. ↑ Oregon, U.S., State Marriages, 1906-1971: Oregon State Archives; Salem, Oregon; Oregon, Marriage Records, 1906-1910, 1946-1966 Ancestry Record 61677 #51985
14. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Klamath Falls, Klamath, Oregon; Roll: m-t0627-03366; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 18-43 Ancestry Record 2442 #63379441
15. ↑ U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Oregon, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 46 Ancestry Record 2238 #36493556
16. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Bend, Deschutes, Oregon; Roll: 4767; Page: 12; Enumeration District: 9-9 Ancestry Record 62308 #25520370
17. ↑ Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, 1971. "Eddie Hamm." Accessed 10 Feb 2024.
18. ↑ Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame, 1996. "Eddie Hamm (1996)." Accessed 10 Feb 2024.
19. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #25105604
20. ↑ Oregon, U.S., Death Index, 1898-2008: Oregon State Library; 1966-1970 Death Index; Reel Title: State of Oregon Death Index; Year Range: 1981-1990 Ancestry Record 5254 #696412
21. ↑ "Olympic medalist Ed Hamm", The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, 30 Jun 1982, Wed. - Page 39. Newspapers Clip: 140688219, Accessed 10 Feb 2024.

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q947564